Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur has pulled out of the Sunday's NHL's All-Star Game in Atlanta to deal with family matters. Brodeur said he informed Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello of his decision about a week ago, but it was not announced by the NHL until today. Brodeur will be replaced by Boston goaltender Tim Thomas.
“It’s a tough decision,” Brodeur said. “I’ve got some stuff going on with the family back home, so it’s something I just wanted to make sure I was here to take care of. It’s definitely a tough one. It’s such a great weekend to miss. That’s why I waited so long. I tried to avoid making that decision, but I think it’s for the best."
Brodeur would not divulge the details of his "family" stuff other than to say, "health-wise everybody is OK."
Brodeur was voted to start for the Eastern Conference for the fourth time in his career. His late decision will leave the Devils with no representative in the game. Even Devils coach Brent Sutter, who earned a spot in the game as an assistant coach because the Devils had the second best record in the East on Jan. 5, has been crytpic about whether he will show up. When asked about it again this afternoon, he smiled and replied,. "We'll see."
The Devils will go with the same lineup tonight aginst Philadelphia as they used in Sunday's win over Toronto, scratching Andy Greene and Sheldon Brookbank.
good to hear everyone is healthy, including marty.
Posted by: Evans | January 22, 2008 at 06:06 PM
Bummer.!! It will suck not to see at least one devil at the all star game or skills competition or young stars game.., i hope Sutter coaches tho.
Posted by: Jon | January 22, 2008 at 06:10 PM
Sorry he misses it but glad to see him get some rest. I think he's struggled coming out of the All Star game in past years so I'm not disappointed he's skipping (as long as he's okay).
Posted by: DevilsfaninVA | January 22, 2008 at 06:14 PM
I hope everything works out for Brodeur, I'll keep him in my prayers and hope that this family matter is nothing serious. Good to hear everyone health wise is okay.
Posted by: Brian | January 22, 2008 at 06:16 PM
I am glad to know that Marty is okay.
Posted by: jules | January 22, 2008 at 06:27 PM
I was thinking something might be wrong with one of his kids since he had "family issues" earlier in the season. Glad to know everyone is OK, but I'm kind of upset that the devs have no all-star representatives. Crosby isn't playing I'm guessing, so who's gonna replace him?
Posted by: Dana B | January 22, 2008 at 06:38 PM
Evgeni Malkin is replacing Crosby.
Posted by: Michael | January 22, 2008 at 06:43 PM
Now I have absolutely no reason to watch the Allstar game, don't they usually pick another Devil to go in His place? I hope Marty's family sit is ok and everyone in His family is alright as well. Totally off of the subject, but can You Guys believe Heath Leger overdosed and is dead?
Posted by: Shari | January 22, 2008 at 06:48 PM
I'm with Shari. No Marty, no Crosby, no real reason to watch.
I hope all is well with Marty and his family.
Posted by: PhantomNJ | January 22, 2008 at 08:11 PM
This will get a laugh, this so called Person on that Eklund sight is claiming that He knows some one that works for Lou and is saying the Dev's are putting a package together for Dion P out of Calgary. That sight is so amusing.
Posted by: Shari | January 22, 2008 at 09:11 PM
Its annoying that Eklund said that .. now, any hopes that we had of getting him are gone b/c of his statement. He jinxes teams with his "inside info". I must admit tho, I'd give up anyone on the Devils (except Deur, of course) for him. Yeah, Parise included.
Posted by: Brandon | January 22, 2008 at 11:33 PM
He's probably got to go to court
Posted by: jdr30 | January 23, 2008 at 12:04 AM
I also hope family issue is nothing serious. Best thing for Marty would be to take a rest. The ASG is nothing but a shooting gallery for the forwards. No defense, no checking and the goalies have to play in the Young Stars game, the skills competition and 20 minutes of shots in the game on Sunday.
Nice to see the Power Play smash the Flyers, Odouya had an amazing game. Keep this stuff going, the division and conference will be a dog fight all year.
Posted by: Kerry | January 23, 2008 at 08:10 AM
I'm disgusted by this. This a man playing a boy's game -- he works three nights a week, eight months a year.
The NHL should SUSPEND his butt for 20 games. He doesn't deserve to be in regular games if he can't be bothered to show up for a game that his own enthusiastic fans wanted to see him play. This is why the NHL's reputation as a sport for fans is going south and they can't even get contract to play on ESPN-8.
Our stars are turning into pansies who obviously don't give a crap about the fans. You tell Brodeur he's lost all our respect and if he breaks a leg screwing his wife's sister the weekend he should be at the all star game, I'll cheer.
Posted by: Alzheiemrs | January 23, 2008 at 09:37 AM
Alzheiemrs, you must be kidding. Firstly, I guess you haven't heard of practices or workouts if you think that a player works "three nights a week, eight months a year." Players work most days of the week, whether in a scheduled practice or working out on their own, and those workouts continue throughout the off season. And what incentive is there to show up at an All Star game which has shown itself to be a bust in years past. All it is is a chance for forwards to show how great they are, besides the skills competition the goalies might as well not even be there. And finally, he says that he has a personal issue to deal with, and I think that as fans we should show him a little bit of loyalty, rather than flipping out just because he skipped a meaningless twenty-minute shift.
Posted by: stoonbora | January 23, 2008 at 09:51 AM
Oh, and don't presume to speak for Devils fans with such an idiotic statement as "You tell Brodeur he's lost all our respect." He still has my respect and always will.
Posted by: stoonbora | January 23, 2008 at 09:54 AM
I am bummed that Marty is not going to be playing in the all star game but family comes first. I hope everything is okay with his family.
Posted by: Devilsfan | January 23, 2008 at 09:54 AM
The All-Star game turns into a bust as soon as all it's STARS find more pressing issues. Saying it's a family issue is such a generic response I can't believe anyone believes it anymore. If he'd said it was to rest for the playoff chase ahead, or if there was something seriously wrong, I'd have accepted that as a fan. But I really don't hear him saying anything more than "I'm going to drink beer and pass out on the couch." Most injuries happen in the home, ya know!
Stoonbora - it's too bad he couldn't give a crap about you. You must like the feeling of spit in your eye, eh?
Posted by: Alzheiemrs | January 23, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Alzheimers: I honestly couldn't care less if he gives a crap about me or not. What I do care about is that he is the heart and soul of the Devils who gives his all for the team every year. The All Star game means nothing, regardless of who's playing. As I said before, it's just a showcase for the forwards. And for you to say that he has no regard for fans, do you know anything about his charity work or involvement in the community? Grow up and look at things rationally before jumping to conclusions and throwing out childish insults.
Posted by: stoonbora | January 23, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Well, considering the Devils top two forwards currently rank #43rd (Parise) and #91st (Gionta) in the league in points, I don't see NJ getting anyone else into the All-Star game *except* Brodeur. When Malkin only makes it into the game as a replacement, you know this team's going to be sorely lacking in representation.
Good show, guys. As for Charity work -- isn't that what the NHL needs right now? It's a lot harder to show up to a make-believe game than to write a check for schoolkids, but not by much.
Posted by: Alzheiemrs | January 23, 2008 at 10:55 AM
The all-star game is a joke. I don't blame Marty for not wanting to go, what's so great about trying to defend the net when you know that both teams are going to score like 10 goals each?
Posted by: Devs4Life | January 23, 2008 at 04:38 PM
So I am guessing none of you voted for him in the all star vote ... I am extremely dissapointed that he is not here.
I think it shows disrespect for the fans and the host city that they chose not to come.
I live in Atlanta and was extremely excited to see him and then he decides not to show.
How would you like it if New Jersey was the host and a number of the players that were chosen to start by the fans decided not to come. Crosby I understand but come on "family reasons" ...
Posted by: gategirl | January 26, 2008 at 08:13 PM
Are you people that bad off brain wise? I've been a Devils fan since 82. I've met Marty and the guys a ton of times here in Tampa when they come to play the Lightning. There is no family issues. The man plays 70+ games a year. Thats why he is not there. He needs a couple days off to rest up at home. Wouldnt you do the same thing if you worked were you didnt live? I know he lives in NJ but it's not his real home. He has a house down here to but he lives in Canada. For all you Devils fans that are dissapointed, wise up. Would you rather watch him play 20-30 minutes and then lose a Game 7 to Pittsburgh later in the playoffs? I'll take more Stanley Cups over the all star game every single year. Who won the all star game last year? Where was it? Who played goal? Who won the Stanley Cup last year? I'll bet off of the top of your head you only know the answer to one of those questions without thinking about it. And thats my point. Who cares about the all star game anyway. It used to be a great thing and now its just a show.
Posted by: Ray | January 27, 2008 at 04:00 PM
it was in dallas the west won and marty was in net at some point, and anaheim beat ottawa in 5
Posted by: Tom | January 27, 2008 at 05:19 PM
I think people should ease off Marty and the All Star Game. Luongo took off too for a good reason, also in under "family reasons." I watched all parts of the All-Star Game and thought it was great. Clarkson of the Devils had the first goal in the young stars game i think. I voted for Marty too, but I still wanted to see the All Star Game. I would rather watch other goalies get pelted with pucks, instead of Marty. I don't think it was disrespectful in the least nor does it show the All Star Game is a joke. Family issues or just R&R to play at your best is more important. Aren't all All Star Games just for show? By the way, micing the goalies... best idea ever, lol.. Legace and DiPietro were hilarious just like Turco last year.
Posted by: John | January 27, 2008 at 09:26 PM