Martin Brodeur has been granted a one-week leave of absence by the St. Louis Blues to return home and mull his playing future.
The NHL's all-time winningest goalie was signed last month by the Blues as insurance after starter Brian Elliott suffered a knee injury, leaving rookie Jake Allen as the only experienced netminder.
But with Elliott back from injury, Brodeur has fallen to No. 3 on the depth chart. While the Blues were comfortable keeping the future Hall of Famer for a bit longer as insurance, it's obviously not an ideal situation for him.
"Marty will take a week to reflect on his current status," Brodeur's agent Pat Brisson of CAA Sports told ESPN.com. "He still has the appetite to play and compete, no doubt about it, but just wants a week to reflect on his situation. And the Blues were nice enough to grant it."
The Blues said the team would not comment until he returned next week.
The 42-year-old appeared in seven games for the Blues, going 3-3-0 with a 2.87 goals against average and .899 save percentage.