Martin Brodeur and the Future of the New Jersey Devils
It doesn’t sound like Martin Brodeur is all that ready to hang up the skates. He did slip in his post-game interview and call Sunday’s matinee with the Bruins his last start, but he quickly backtracked to indecision. Unfortunately, it also doesn’t seem like the Devils really want him back. Marty is unlikely to happily accept a role as a backup, and it’s hard to imagine him platooning in New Jersey for another year. This might be goodbye for a number of reasons.
It would be weird to see Brodeur in another uniform, so the child in me is hoping for retirement or a 20-game role to stay in New Jersey and keep Cory Schneider fresh next season. Brodeur is arguably the greatest goaltender to ever play the game, and doing it all for one team makes it special. That said, he’s a stubborn man.
Comments (read: very loud, whining excuses) throughout the year from general disgust with team performance and playing time make Marty a liability for New Jersey as they try to rebuild. His outbursts couldn’t be good for a team scratching towards a Wild Card spot for the better half of the season. The Devils have now missed the playoffs in three of the last four years, and it’s time to move forward as a franchise. An incredible core group of young defensemen and impressive depth will make the Devils contenders next season if they can add some scoring. A grumpy old man clogging up the bench certainly won’t help the process. “Uncle Daddy” is unlikely to learn humility in time to contribute to the transition toward a new era in Devils hockey. Hell, that’s what made him so great for so long.
Not everyone can go out on top. Retirement, especially while still clinging to mediocrity, is a difficult idea for the world’s most competitive athletes. That said, I’m hoping Brodeur, like another childhood idol in Jorge Posada, goes away with only one year of complaint-riddled, poor performance… humbled, happy, and in good standing with the fans.
It’s likely going to be a new era for Devils fans, but there is a lot to look forward to. Let’s see if Lou Lamoriello has one last dynasty in his cap. Either way, Martin Brodeur was probably the greatest goaltender to ever live. Whatever he chooses to do, he’s always going to be New Jersey Devils hockey: the Cups, the rivalries, the shutouts, the wins, the legend. I just hope it ends the right way.
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