Devils coach Brent Sutter admitted today his philosophy on playing Martin Brodeur has changed since the start of the season. It was clear early that the Devils intended to give Brodeur more rest this season and give Kevin Weekes more work, but that changed rather quickly.
Brodeur will start his 20th consecutive game Wednesday against San Jose and it will be his 42nd start in 44 games. Sutter said it comes down to managing Brodeur's time off the ice between games.
“I know what my thoughts were at the start of the year," Sutter said, "but, obviously, those thoughts have changed because of the way Marty has played, one. Two, how we’ve handled our practices between games and, three, we don’t pre-game skate. We’ve had time to be smart between games here to make sure that he’s getting the proper rest.”
Brodeur's 55 starts so far are third most in the NHL behind San Jose's Evgeni Nabokov, who has started all but one of the Sharks' 59 games, and Calgary's Miikka Kiprusoff, who has started 57. Brodeur leads the league with 32 wins.
So im pretty sure he will play against the islanders (i hope he does since ill be at that game) maybe he'll have off sunday against the caps?
Posted by: Xander Crews | February 19, 2008 at 02:07 PM
All the same though hes not 27 anymore, and i would like to see him get a few breaks during the season as i think thats what would be best for the team, because if hes not in the running to win 55 games this season, then he should be rested more, and i think no Morning Skate hurts this team in the first period of alot of games
Posted by: RJ Arditti | February 19, 2008 at 02:16 PM
Gee, this is shocking, I never saw it coming.
Posted by: Shari | February 19, 2008 at 03:01 PM
WORK HORSE.
It will be one of the saddest days ever when Marty is no longer in net. I say play him as much as he wants. I'd still like to see him get some better blue line help. Cough::Wade Redden::Cough...lol
Posted by: Mike | February 19, 2008 at 03:28 PM
Philadelphia makes a trade(seriously)
To Philly
Jaroslav Modry(former devils Draft pick, part of Alyn McCauley Trade)
To LA
3rd Round Pick
I just thought it might be of interest to everyone.
any thoughts on the trade TG?
Posted by: RJ Arditti | February 19, 2008 at 03:38 PM
I saw a rumor saying that the Devils may trade for Brian Campbell for Karel Rachunek, your thoughts?
Posted by: Grant M. | February 19, 2008 at 03:47 PM
my thoguhts is that there is 2 ways that deal could happen, no way, and no F'n way. Campbell is worth alot more than Rachunek, and i would personally LOVE to have Campbell, but i don;t see the sabres making that trade... maybe if we threw in a pick and someone like Corrente or Halischuk
Posted by: RJ Arditti | February 19, 2008 at 03:50 PM
lol whoever is making these rumors must love Rachunek, first Rach for JM Lies now Rach for Campbell.
Whats next Rach for Hossa?
Posted by: Xander Crews | February 19, 2008 at 03:58 PM
SOLD!
When can Hossa be here? we can have Rachunek on a plane to Atlanta in 15 minutes, cause i will drive LOL!
Posted by: RJ Arditti | February 19, 2008 at 04:05 PM
I wouldn't mind seeing VV and KR's $3.2M come off our books to get some quality Dmen come to town and let everyone else grow and develop. We've got bangers in Lowell w/Fraser etc so we definately need to bring in the offensive dmen.
I sure hope Marty doesn't burn out in the 2nd round again. He looked as bad as he ever did in last year's playoffs. I've never seen so many horrible bad angle goals since the dreaded one in '94.
Posted by: Pat | February 19, 2008 at 04:05 PM
It's amazing how peoples' eyes open up when they see Marty day in and day out. Having him play a lot of games means winning a lot of games you aren't supposed to. Personally I think Marty's play in last years playoffs had to do with a) having to play two of the most devastating offenses in the league (sure to hurt anyone's postseason numbers), and b) because he didn't trust his D and tried to do too much himself. It caused him to guess and anticipate too much which is why he was getting beat short side coming off the post. You saw it a little earlier this season. If he just concentrates on the first save and lets his reflexes take care of 2nd and 3rd shots he's close to unbeatable. I don't think fatigue factored in as much as people think.
Posted by: Brodie30 | February 19, 2008 at 04:34 PM
As long as Marty doesn't get tired in the playoffs and let in soft goals as he's done in years past, I'm all for starting Marty. If he faulters during the playoffs I'm blaming him playing too much.
Posted by: Falcone | February 19, 2008 at 04:58 PM
The Flyers were desperate for D help because of injuries. Modry is OK. He wouldn't be an upgrade from what the Devils have.
I hate commenting on these dumb rumors, but why would Buffalo trade Campbell for Rachunek? They're both UFA's this summer and Campbell is, to be conservative, a lot better than Rachunek.
Same goes for Liles. There is no sense to either of those rumors, which are clearly fabrications.
Posted by: TG | February 19, 2008 at 06:09 PM
No offense to Rach but come on be serious, maybe Lou could get a 3rd rounder and a bag of pucks, but Lou cannot make a move worth talking about for Him or VV. Marty is going to play until He tells Sutter He can't go, He knows His body better then anyone and He is not only a true competetor but a professional, I'll leave it up to Him and Sutter to decide, and in the mean time I'm just going to sit back and enjoy the ride (He will retire someday) nobody ever has or ever will Man the pipes like Him, and I don't want to miss a thing, when He makes some of these saves it's like an event, just enjoy His body of work, because it will be over before We know it, and some day We will be begging for just one more stop from Marty. If He wants to play I say let Him.
Posted by: Shari | February 19, 2008 at 06:50 PM
Not a rumor just day dreaming here, but boy would I LOVE to see Arnie back in the Red and Black.
Posted by: Shari | February 19, 2008 at 07:03 PM
How about this...Rachunek to CHI for Lang. Lang is Center so then Lou can move Zajac to COL for Liles. Lots of good Devils talk on NHL Live this afternoon.
TG, we need an update on Jacques. I heard the first stage of the surgery was successful. How's he doing?
Posted by: BishopQ | February 19, 2008 at 08:51 PM
I heard a rumor that the Devils want to rent Bret Hedican and that Greene and Brookbank were being showcased for just that purpose. It makes sense that he would be on Lou's radar because he is a US born veteran defenseman with Stanley Cup experience. The Hurricanes will assess their situation after the weekend. They may not be willing to throw in the towel unless they lose all three games leading up into the trade deadline. (e1)
Wow, that was easy. I just fabricated a rumor. I hate Eklund.
Posted by: Me | February 19, 2008 at 09:03 PM
They're better off hanging onto Travis so that they can switch Elias back to wing. He clearly isn't getting the job done at C.
Posted by: Pat | February 19, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Quite a night in Montreal tonight. If Ryder's on his way out, he looks to be leaving with a bang.
Posted by: Laura | February 19, 2008 at 11:54 PM
Rachunek would only be dealt as a throw-in or salary dump in any deal, he has little value.
Hedican is too injury prone, and he doesn't provide offense. He wouldn't be much of an upgrade over what we have, plus he's a left defenseman like White and Oduya
Campbell and Boyle would cost too much, I say there's a 1% chance either will be a Devil by Feb 26th.
I wouldn't be surprised at all if Lou makes a pitch to the Leafs for McCabe, and if he doesn't waive his NTC, then Kubina. McCabe would cost more, and to offset salaries, Zubrus might have to go in the deal, but he would provide the PP QB the team needs, plus he has an awesome shot. His cap amount is $5.8M/season but the team can fit him in. Play him with Whitey to cut down on his defensive mistakes.
If Lou and Sutter don't think VV fits in, I wouldn't at all be surprised to see him shipped to St Louis for Barret Jackman, who's a little smaller (6'0) but a leader on the blueline and better defensively, but provides big checks. BJ is a UFA this year, but it would be an audition to see if the Devils should resign him.
That would leave our D as:
White-McCabe
Oduya-Martin
Jackman-Mottau/Greene/Rachunek (Greene might have to be in the McCabe deal though)
Posted by: Mike | February 20, 2008 at 08:38 AM
Rachunek would only be dealt as a throw-in or salary dump in any deal, he has little value.
Hedican is too injury prone, and he doesn't provide offense. He wouldn't be much of an upgrade over what we have, plus he's a left defenseman like White and Oduya
Campbell and Boyle would cost too much, I say there's a 1% chance either will be a Devil by Feb 26th.
I wouldn't be surprised at all if Lou makes a pitch to the Leafs for McCabe, and if he doesn't waive his NTC, then Kubina. McCabe would cost more, and to offset salaries, Zubrus might have to go in the deal, but he would provide the PP QB the team needs, plus he has an awesome shot. His cap amount is $5.8M/season but the team can fit him in. Play him with Whitey to cut down on his defensive mistakes.
If Lou and Sutter don't think VV fits in, I wouldn't at all be surprised to see him shipped to St Louis for Barret Jackman, who's a little smaller (6'0) but a leader on the blueline and better defensively, but provides big checks. BJ is a UFA this year, but it would be an audition to see if the Devils should resign him.
That would leave our D as:
White-McCabe
Oduya-Martin
Jackman-Mottau/Greene/Rachunek (Greene might have to be in the McCabe deal though)
Posted by: Mike | February 20, 2008 at 08:38 AM
TG I love your candid assessments of trades, players and coaches. It's refreshing to hear these kinds of opinions come from a member of the press and not just another fan. Keep up the great work!
Posted by: Yaron | February 20, 2008 at 10:01 AM
Hey Mike,
I like you're idea about Jackman for VV. However I think we might have to package 2 dmen rather than just one. We have too many as it is and I think we can get a solid dman for 2 of our guys.
Posted by: Falcone | February 20, 2008 at 10:40 AM
They're better off hanging onto Travis so that they can switch Elias back to wing. He clearly isn't getting the job done at C.
Posted by: Pat | February 19, 2008 at 10:12 PM
*slaps forehead* ... oh wow, so that must be why patrick has had multiple point games, and equaled out to almost if not a point for every game for the last month since it happened, and not to mention earned back his 'A'
yea he hasn't been working out.
Posted by: Mikedeadworks | February 20, 2008 at 10:46 AM
Mike, your proposal for Mccabe made me throw up a lil in my mouth. Horrid.
I wish posters from njdevs wouldnt come here ;-)
Posted by: Britdevil | February 20, 2008 at 11:05 AM