Reflections on Martin Brodeur’s career

Martin Brodeur, No. 29.

It was March 26, 1992.

Two friends of mine — Greg and Nick — decided we were going to go to the Devils-Bruins game at the Meadowlands. It was Greg’s birthday, and in a few months, Nick was moving to Boston to go to Boston College for undergraduate studies. So we had two major reasons to go.

When Bob Arsena got to announcing scratches, among them was Chris Terreri, our favourite goaltender. We were bummed, considering the alternatives. But little did we know that also out was Craig Billington. His name was not announced among the scratches. So who would be the goalie?

It was a mystery.

But when it came time for announcing the starters, which used to happen before the players got on to the ice, it was No. 29, Martin Brodeur.

Who?

You’ve got to be kidding me. Not only is Terreri not playing — it’s some nobody, this guy Martin Brodeur, starting in goal. No way this game turns out good. No chance. It’s over before it started.

The Devils won that game, 5-2, and it was the first of 691 wins Martin Brodeur would get in an amazing career. And I was fortunate (lucky) to have been at his very-first NHL game two years before anyone even knew who he was. No. 29, he wore, no less, that night — and a few other nights he played that season (including a playoff-relief performance against the Rangers that April).

Many people say he was a product of the defense in front of him.

I prefer what Jaromir Jagr said last night about him — that he was the 2nd and a half defenseman most nights.

I often wonder if Brodeur hadn’t been the Devils goalie so long if they would have won a cup in 1995, or 2000 or 2003? Would they have even been in the Finals in 2001 or 2012? And the answer is pretty simple — not a chance.

So many games — too many to list here — along the road, he stole games. Too many nights, the Devils won games they should not have won because he was there.

And here we are, the first year he’s gone, and is it any coincidence the Devils are having the worst season in franchise season since the 1988-1989 season, the last team that did not make the playoffs before Marty became the franchise’s No.1 goalie ?

Is it any coincidence Cory Schneider has slipped quite a bit since Marty left (and since he no longer has a veteran by his side, as he did with Roberto Luongo)?

Is it any coincidence the team is apparently upset Brodeur did not come back to New Jersey for a front-office job, a job he was all but guaranteed, instead choosing to remain with St. Louis for the rest of the year?

Here’s the bottom line — Martin Brodeur is, perhaps, the greatest or close to the greatest athlete to ever play in the tri-state area. (Unfortunately because he played on this side of the river, he will often be skipped in such discussions).

He did what so many goalies before him couldn’t do.

He did what athletes who have played, since 1995, with the Mets, Jets, Knicks, Islanders, Rangers and Nets never experienced — not just one, but three championships. Locally, only the Yankees experienced more championships in that timeframe (5 World Series wins). And the Giants ONLY (go ahead, laugh) only won two Super Bowls in that period.

So yes, he did what a majority of local athletes could not do.

He did it all.

Man am I missing him already.

Man do I miss him getting heckled at Madison Square Garden.

Man will it never be the same for this franchise again.

And I was there to see it all begin. Couldn’t ask for more than that.

William Brodeur looks a LOT like his dad

Or maybe he doesn’t. You decide.

Here, also, is a video of the three Brodeur brothers in rookie camp together in Newark.

What are your thoughts? Comment here, on Google+ or on our Facebook Group. We hope you’ll consider sharing posts you enjoy with other Devils fans on Facebook, Twitter and Google so that we can continue to grow.

Revisiting an old argument: Marty v. Hank — the first 10 years

Earlier this year, we took a look at the first 10 years in the careers of Martin Brodeur and Henrik Lundqvist (not 10 seasons ... years). We broke down the stats before Hank had completed the 10-year period and in fairness, we re-present the statistics with the 10-year period now complete for the Rangers’ netminder.

Hank’s numbers changed in two categories (those numbers are in red). Finals appearances jumped from 0 to 1 — and series won jumped from 5 to 8.

As I’ve said — there is no comparison to these two yet. There may never be an instance where they can and/or should be compared. And yes, I know there are plenty who will disagree with me on this one. That’s why we have comments enabled — and why you don’t even need an account or to register to post your comments.

So please, comment away!

Click on the image to see a larger version of it.

THN’s Matt Larkin: Marty as Cory’s backup makes sense

Here’s what he says. Does it make any sense? I know Mark Donatiello thinks it does.

“The more time passes, the more a return to New Jersey makes sense. The Devils nabbed Scott Clemmensen, but the contract is two-way and they’re hoping Keith Kinkaid seizes the job as Cory Schneider’s backup. Even if Brodeur has gone on record saying he’s not inclined to return, the door is open ajar. And if no other team wants him, it’s hard to imagine Lou Lamoriello turning the franchise’s greatest player down. No matter how much it would piss off Schneider.”

What are your thoughts? Comment here, on Google+ or on our Facebook Group.

In under 2 days, a 22-year affair comes to a close for Marty

NEWARK — 

Martin & Anthony Brodeur

Two more days.

That’s it.

Two more days.

In two days, there will still be a Brodeur within the Devils organization, but his first name is Anthony. In two days, Martin becomes a free agent and with that, a 22-year relationship comes to a close.

It is hard to believe how quickly that time has gone by. Because by chance, on March 26, 1992, I was fortunate enough to have been at the Brendan Byrne Arena to see Marty’s first-ever game played in a Devils uniform -- against the Boston Bruins.

We’d chosen, my friends and I did, to go to the game against Boston because it was one friend’s birthday on 26 March -- and another friend was heading to Boston College in August of 1992 to begin his freshman year of studies there. So what better opponent to see the Devils play was there than the Boston Bruins?

We were hoping to see one of our all-time favorites play that night -- Chris Terreri. But we were disappointed. Terreri was a scratch, as was the backup that night (I want to say it was Craig Billington -- but I am not 100% sure).

When long-time PA announcer Bob Arsena announced the scratches, we couldn’t help but wonder: Who the hell was going to start in goal if both regular goalies were scratched?

As it was, “And starting in goal, No. 29 -- Martin Brodeur.”

Martin who? No. 29 what?

We were all stunned that night -- and disappointed.

Marty wasn’t even in the 1991-92 team photo,
despite playing in 4 games and 1 playoff game.

But not when the final buzzer sounded. Because that night, March 26, 1992, we saw history -- and had no idea we were seeing it. It was the first-ever win for Martin Pierre Brodeur. Brodeur made 24 saves on 26 shots en route to a 4-2 Devils win.

Scoring for the Devils that night were, get this, Tom Chorske, Claude Lemieux, Randy McKay and Kevin Todd. Ironically, three of those guys would still be around to win a Cup with Marty just three years later. Who would have known.

Amazingly, the Devils did not dress a backup goalie that night (I know this from looking back at the boxscore). I wish I could find the attendance that night because I am sure there are a lot of people who claim to have been there that night who really weren’t. But if my memory serves me, there were around 14,000 on hand that night.

Marty went 2-1 that year playing in four games. He relieved Terreri in one playoff game against the Rangers that year, and wound up getting the loss (don’t remember which game it was). But it was the beginning of a career that is coming to a close in two days.

I really wish Marty had gone on a goodbye tour with the Devils ala Marino Rivera, but I also understand he really kind of wants to get 700 wins before he retires. And who are any of us to say “You really shouldn’t want to work, Marty.”

But the reality is his career here is done -- and man were we ever blessed and lucky to have witnessed it -- and to have taken it for granted.

All those winter nights when 11,000 people showed up at the old arena -- we took for granted Marty would be there.

All those spring nights in the playoffs, we took for granted Marty would be there.

Those three glorious nights -- Game 4 of the 1995 Finals, Game 6 of the 2000 Finals and Game 7 of the 2003 Finals -- we took for granted Marty would be there.

For in reality, back then, we couldn’t think of a time where Marty wouldn’t be there, because he always was. And when he was, rarely, if ever, did he disappoint.

Now as he leaves us, perhaps as it seems now for Toronto, maybe he gets one more chance to win a fourth Cup. And play in front of a packed house every night. Yet for 22 years, he was ours.

It will never be the same again sans Martin, but to paraphrase an infamous quote from Sam Rosen, of the MSG Network, the memories of Martin Pierre Brodeur will, indeed, “Last a lifetime.”

Thank you, Martin, for all the thrills you brought to us over the years.

I cannot wait until that night in 2015 or 2016 when you sweater gets raised to where it belongs -- right along side Nos. 3, 4 and 27.

What are your thoughts? Comment here, on Google+ or on our Facebook Group.

Marty a backup | mentor to Bernier in Toronto?

How about this jersey?

TORONTO, Ont. —

So Marty Brodeur was in Toronto yesterday for a charity golf tournament hosted by David Clarkson -- and then he took in the Jays game with Leafs’ brass.

So now there is speculation that he might be seeking out the Leafs or vice-versa. The biggest question is whether he’d be willing to be Jonathan Bernier’s backup -- but of course, this could also be a case of the Leafs really needing and wanting a mentor for Bernier, who has yet to play a true full season in net (though he did play in 55 games last year, and I believe he started 52 of those games).

So Devils fans -- Marty in the Blue and White of Toronto. Could you stomach it for one year? I think I could. Discuss away.

Brodeur tells Gulitti he’s ‘nervous, excited’ about free agency

MONTREAL —

Martin Brodeur today told the Bergen Record’s Tom Gulitti he’s “nervous and excited” about testing the free-agent market.  Click here to read the piece.

What surprises me most is that he really gives no indication as to any interest yet from any teams. While they cannot discuss contract parameters, teams could have already contacted him to express interest -- and that appears not to have happened yet.

Teams listed as possibilities for Marty include Pittsburgh, Washington, Chicago, St. Louis, Tampa Bay and the New York Islanders. I still believe the Canadiens would make sense, also.

Your thoughts? Will there be any interest in Marty’s services for the 2014-15 season? Discuss away on Google+, in the comments section here or on our Facebook Group.

Now that the Finals are over, we’re going to slow it down a bit the rest of the summer — and look ahead to the next season which is just 3 months away

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. —

Well, the summer is officially here.

And with that, we may slow things down a bit here at NewJersey-Devils.com. But we will certainly look ahead to what should be a very intriguing summer for General Manager Lou Lamoriello.

Perhaps the biggest news will come when at some point on or after 1 July, we learn that Martin Brodeur is no longer a member of the New Jersey Devils.

Will Lou be smiling much
this summer? Hope so!

My gut tells me he winds up with the Montréal Canadiens, as Cary Price’s backup. That may seem bizarre given what we just saw with goaltender Dustin Tokarski in the Canadiens’ run to the Eastern Conference Finals. But for the Habs, having a chance to have Brodeur in their sweater might just be too attractive -- just for a year -- to pass up.

We’ll see.

It’ll also be intriguing to see what Lou does.

Will he buy out a contract?

Where will this guy
wind up? My gut
says in Montreal.

Will the ownership group allow him to open up his wallet to sign a significant scorer -- or perhaps two?

Will the blue line get solidified?

How will the Devils, at no. 30, draft?

Will there be any salary-dump trades?

Will there be A trade?

It all kicks off, in earnest, on July 1 -- so we hope to see you then.

In the meantime, we’ll have any news at it breaks, as well as the continuation of our SUMMER SERIES on Doc Emirick’s greatest Devils calls ... and more as it is warranted. So be sure to continue to follow what’s going on via our Facebook Group, Google+, by checking back here periodically -- or by signing up for instant e-mail alerts. Just put your e-mail address in the box, follow the prompts -- and anytime there's something new here, it’ll be delivered right to your inbox.

Lastly, we’d like to begin a new series -- sharing YOUR memories, your greatest memories, of being a Devils fan. I’ll be sharing mine throughout the summer -- and we will publish yours if you want them to be. Simply send them in the body of an e-mail message to kevincanessa@gmail.com ... or by clicking here.

Cheers, one and all!

 -- Kevin Canessa Jr.

(Update) Marty Brodeur & The Devils on Jeopardy!

SUMMER SERIES: Doc’s greatest Devils calls — #7 — ‘He Throws It Down & In ... He Scored a Goal’

Words not necessary. 1997. We will call this one DOWN & IN.

Marty a Penguin? Could you stomach it?

So there are some other rumors floating around that the Penguins may have interest in signing Martin Brodeur for a year or two.

New Pens GM Jim Rutherford is said to be the catalyst here.

So could you stomach Marty in a Penguins sweater?

Here is what it would look like. I still say Montréal or nothing.

Happy Saturday! Imagine if this became real?

Guess it could be a lot worse than this sweater!

Oh Bro-deur! Please don’t do this to us or you!

Is this coming soon?

NEW YORK —

Well, MARTIN BRODEUR decided today was as good a day as any to tell ESPN’s PIERRE LeBRUN that he was going to test the free-agent market. Click here to read the story from LeBRUN.

Among the interesting things Marty said:

• He is fairly certain Newark won’t be home for the 2014-15 season.

• He’d back up a goalie on a team with a good chance at winning a Cup.

• He’d accept being a no. 1 goalie on a team that might not be a contender.

This stinks. He is absolutely set on playing another season. And he is being very selfish here. What reason other than getting 700 wins does he really need to play a 22nd season? He has rings. He has records. But he’s short of that 700-win plateau.

I don’t like this one bit. In fact, if he would just hang it up, I bet we’re talking about no. 30 being raised to the rafters sometime in late 2014 or early 2015. Instead, we have this.

What is pretty clear is that if he does, in fact, play one more season, there are a few places he absolutely will not play. New York and Philadelphia are paramount among those.

First, neither has a need for an elder-statesman goalie.

Second, he hasn’t exactly hidden that he is not overly fond of either team or organization as a whole.

I could personally only stomach his going to one team — and that is the Montréal. Going there would likely fulfill a childhood dream of donning a Habs sweater. And it would also personally pay fine homage to his late father, Denis, who died last year.

But who knows? Is there really a market out there for a 42-year-old goalie in a no. 1 role? Is there a market out there for a 42-year-old, likely expensive backup? Is there a platoon scenario where he might fit?

I just don’t see it — but perhaps he does.

The bottom line here, however, is Marty would be best set to simply call it a career now — 700 wins isn’t that important, is it really? Wouldn’t it simply be better to realize the best days are gone, he’s accomplished more than any other goalie before him just about and would win himself a lot of points by retiring and moving on to the front office?

But what do I know? I’ve had skates on my feet four times is 39 years. Perhaps when you’ve been wearing them your entire life, it’s just different ...

We will certainly see soon, for sure — especially come July 1.

What’s your take? Comment here, on Facebook or on Google+. We’ll create a post of just comments if we get a few ... 

Here's a look at Marty’s Stadium-Series mask

Loving that classic green!

Marty’s 21 away from victory no. 700

The greatest goalie of all time got his 679th victory Wednesday night in Newark against Ottawa, and is now just 21 away from 700 all-time wins. It’s possible he gets to 700 this season.

Bleacher Report: Brodeur’s most disappointing goalie of the season

Allan Mitchell, of Bleacher Report, says Marty Brodeur is the most disappointing  goalie of the 2013-14 season to this point — and says he's being played too much. I am going to refrain from comment at this point, but I am curious what others think. I’ll comment later.

Is Martin Brodeur really the most disappointing goalie this season? 

At 41, Marty is still the very best

By Kevin Canessa Jr.

 

If you’re a fan of the New Jersey Devils, please don’t tell me there wasn’t a time in the last few months where you’ve said the following: “Marty is done.” I know I am guilty of it — and many of my fellow Devils-fan friends are, too.

 

And yet, here we stand, a month-and-a-half into the season, and Martin Brodeur has once again shut up ever single solitary critic of his by simply putting on another stellar season in what has otherwise been maybe not so stellar.

 

It’s very unfortunate that in Cory Schneider, the Devils have one of the best young goalies. And yet, the guy has just one win — and the offensive support he’s gotten has been non-existent. In fact, in most games he’s played, he’s played well enough to be a star of the game, and he has certainly done his part to win.

 

Call it some really bad misfortune.

 

But Marty. Marty. You’ve got to be kidding here.

 

His record: 6-3-2. Two shutouts. Ordinary, you say. OK. But we cannot forget: This man is 41 years old! Forty-one! And perhaps even more ironic, the best two players on this team this year are both that age.

 

There’s no question Jaromir Jagr has been the best offensive players all season long. And Marty’s been the best in net.

 

I don’t want to get too deep here, save to say that we’re witnessing another magical season from Martin Brodeur. It doesn’t matter if he’s 19 or 41, whenever he puts on a uniform and pads and grabs a helmet and a stick, anything special could happen.

 

And folks, given that number of 41, there won’t me too many more magical moments or memories from Marty when he eventually decides to hang it up.

 

So for now, continue to enjoy this ride. No one — myself included — ever expected to get to see this. What we are seeing is the best of all time showing why he’s the best of all time.

 

And all the while, he’s supposedly the new backup.

 

If that’s the case, excuse me if I am giddy every time my backup goalie plays. Because no one — and I mean no one — has or ever will do it better.

 

We may never truly realize just how lucky we’ve been since 1992.

 

And you can take that to the bank with you, so-called King. Maybe one day you’ll be half the goalie Marty is. Yet until then, we welcome you to sit back and watch how it should be done.

 

Maybe one day.

 

Probably not.

ESPN’s Custance: Devils have NHL’s best-current goalie tandem

Cory Schneider

For a team that isn’t supposed to be all that good this year (so say the experts at least), the New Jersey Devils have the league’s best goalie tandem, ESPN’s Craig Custance writes. Of course, we already knew that — but take a look at what he said. Click here to read (Note: You have to be a silly ESPN Insider to read beyond what he says about the Devils).

I voted for Marty for NHL ’14 — you should, too

Cups.

Gold medals.

Vezinas.

You name it, Marty has done it.

But he’s never been on the cover of the NHL video game. I’ve been voting for him (you can do so 10 times a day) — you should, too. Click here to vote (you have to register with NHL.com, but if you do, you’re entered into a contest to go to one game of the Stanley Cup Final).

My ballot. 

There can be no argument — it's not even close yet — in the 'debate' over who's better: Marty or Henrik

ABOVE: Henrik Lundqvist 

The Canessa Commentary
By Kevin Canessa Jr.

No surprise, it's happening again.

Not sure how or why, either, quite frankly, given how poorly both teams have played all season long.

Still, there are fans of the New York Rangers who, rightfully so, will defend their goaltender to the death. I can understand that. Completely.

But when they make comparisons of Henrik Lundqvist to Martin Brodeur — even to this very day — I cannot help but laugh.

The so-called "King" hasn't even approached the same goaltending stratosphere as Brodeur. Not especially when you compare their first seven-and-three-quarter seasons.

The sheer numbers alone — the post-season numbers are the only ones that matter — are where it's most striking.

Let's take a look at Lundqvist's post-season numbers.

In his career, he's won a grand total of four series — one against Atlanta, another against our Devils — and Ottawa and Washington last year.

Four series — in seven years.

In Martin Brodeur's first season, he won three — against Buffalo, Boston and Philly.

And in the season next, four — Boston, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Detroit.

Seven series victories in his first two seasons. Three more than Hank's had in eight (six, really, considering one year, he didn't make the playoffs — and this year still a question).

In total, Brodeur won 15 series and two Cups (three Finals appearances) in his first eight NHL seasons, whilst missing the playoffs once in that span (1995-96).

That alone is enough to stop the silly comparisons.

The statistics speak for themselves and tell a great story —
there is no rightful comparison between Martin Brodeur
and Henrik Lunqvist. Hank isn't even close to Marty
territory yet. But that could always change
 in the future, can't it?

But let's take the years Lundqvist has been in the league — starting with the 2005-06 season, and compare the two.

His first playoff appearances were hideous. The Devils swept the Rangers that year — and he was so bad, Kevin Weekes got a start in that series (a loss).

In the same time frame — despite an age difference of 10 years and three months, Brodeur has won five series to Lundqvist's four — and head-to-head, Brodeur leads 2 series to 1.

So even in the modern era — this so-called King — the man so many in New York have anointed the second-coming of Christ, he still doesn't have the numbers or statistics to back it up.

There is no question Lundqvist has was it takes to be considered an elite goaltender. But he hasn't even been to the Finals yet — let alone he hasn't yet won a Cup.

It's fun to compare players. It happens to Brodeur all the time — especially when the name Patrick Roy is mentioned. But sorry — comparing Henrik Lundqvist to Martin Brodeur is like comparing the Mets to the Yankees. One is a lifetime winner. The other gets a break here and there, but wins nothing big ultimately.

Perhaps in 20 years, we'll look back and say: "Boy that Lundqvist was the best there ever was." For Rangers fans, I hope you all get that opportunity.

But for now, it's an apples-to-oranges comparison.

It's not even close.

The two names shouldn't be even considered equals at this point because they're not.

One wins constantly. The other has accomplished nothing.

I'll accept the argument, perhaps, after he's got two rings.

For now, carry on.

This argument shouldn't have happened in the first place.