How much rest will Martin Brodeur get next season?
It has become an annual question around New Jersey and one really has to wonder what the management philosophy is on the future Hall of Fame goalie; or if there even is a philosophy.
Remember last off-season, after Brodeur set the NHL record for wins in a season but then looked tired in the second-round playoff loss to Ottawa? Lou Lamoriello went out and signed veteran Kevin Weekes to a two-year contract to be a real backup, to take some of the load off Brodeur's shoulders.
What happened? The last time Weekes started a game was Jan. 5. He lost to the Bruins, and never got another chance. Brodeur went the rest of the way and looked more than mortal in the five-game loss to the Rangers in the first round of the playoffs.
Now, for what it's worth, Brodeur said the playoff battle with the Rangers and Sean Avery took their toll; and while that may well be true, he still looked like just another goalie for the second straight playoff defeat.
His playoff record since the last Stanley Cup, in 2003, is just 12-18.
Time for more rest?
"I don't think (I was mentally fatigued) about hockey," Brodeur told the Star-Ledger. "I think it was more about (the media), just having to deal with the circus with the Rangers."
Said coach Brent Sutter: I think Marty was fresh going into the playoffs. I just think it wore on him as the series went on. A lot of things that took place probably had some impact on him."
And probably took the focus off the real issue -- the guy probably played too much.
Brodeur just turned 36. He has a lot of hockey -- probably great hockey -- left in him. But does he have to appear in 82 of his team's 87 games?
SEASON HIGHLIGHT The Devils won nine straight games from Nov. 17 through Dec. 7, tying the third-longest streak in franchise history. They yielded only 14 goals in the nine wins, all recorded with Martin Brodeur in goal. The Devils were just 7-10-2 before run.
TURNING POINT Even though they stumbled some in March, losing the first two games of the first-round playoff series to the Rangers at home put the Devils in a hole they never dug out of. They did win Game 3 at Madison Square Garden but then lost Game 4 there and Game 5 right back at The Rock to end the season.
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Hey guys, I know i've posted this on here before, but I thought i'd post it again. If you're looking for a better more managed message board, with faster links, more replies, and no ranger trolls, come to Njdevs.com. You'll love it there, its an absolute blast with a bunch of really fun and cool people, and in the dreaded offseason (which came a bit too early for us) this is the
I know the Rangers eliminated the Devils our team.Sean Avery was brought to a hospital in Manhattan earlier this morning not breathing in Cardiac arrest.All hockey Issues aside I hope he makes a full recovery and gets better.Prayers are with you,healthand good will transcends r
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Did anyone see the replays of that game? Marty Turco stopping 61 shots. Both goalies making game-saving saves in the overtime. Just from a Devils fan's perspective, it was a very entertaining game.
I am so sick and tired of all these clueless Rangers fans takling about their self proclaimed "King" and how WONDERFUL he is. I was just on the Rangers board reading some of the posts. One moron claims he is the best goalie in the NHL. I am curious as to what he is basing this on because I still can't figure it out. The guy
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Well, it always hurts losing to forking Rangers. Even more so with Scott Gomez on the team. I have said this all years long that team needs scoring depth and a stud defenseman. My thoughts are below.
A true blue bona fide number 1 center. A guy who can get
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If he's still available come July 1st, would you guys like to see the Devils sign him? He's only 29, 30 years old and we know what he can do to the other team, not to mention if you put him in the right place, he can score you 15, 20 goals a season. I would love to see what he would do on our second or third line, with Clarkson and Zubrus,
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In a previous post of mine you told me to check the records and then insert my foot in my mouth. Your talking to a REAL hockey fan pal so i'll give you a little information since you only watch hockey 2 out of every 15 years when the rags are good. Since the 2001-2002 your precious Rangers including the playoffs have 10 count them,
The Nashville Predators, a team that made the playoffs by a thread, tie their series 2-2 against Detroit, while the Devils, who are obviously much better of a team than the Preds, blow our series tying opportunity against the
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I just went to the Rangers board to curse those dudes off and saw you made a thread congratulating them. What are you thinking? I guess you weren't at any of the games huh? If you were you wouldn't be congratulating them. Those piece of garbages started nothing but touble inside and out of the arena. I gotta go back to New
I can't stand it anymore. 1 30 goal scorer on this team 1. It's a disgrace. Lou has finally reached the end in my opinion. Hockey has changed he hasn't. It's a lot more offensive now. What has Lou really developed in the minors lately? Parise thats it really. The Devils farm
I want to personally thank the Devils and their fans for another great season. Anyone that attended the game last night saw the classless display that was put on by Ranger fans everywhere. Thank you to those fans that attended and also that showed their appreciation of standing and clapping while the Devils exited.
