ALERT: Brodeur out three to four months with torn biceps tendon

Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur will have surgery Thursday morning to repair a torn distal biceps tendon in his left elbow and will miss three to four months, Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said this morning.

Lamoriello said Brodeur is expected to make a full recovery and should make it back in time for the end of the regular season. The surgery will be performed by a specialist, Dr. Steven Beldner, with the assistance of team orthopedist, Dr. Barry Fisher.

"It could take anywhere from three to four months," Lamoriello said.

I hope to have some comments from Brodeur later today. Brodeur has never missed more than six games in a row due to injury.

"This is not a career-ending injury," Lamoriello said. "This is a bump in the road. (He'll have) a total recovery, 100 percent and with this type of surgery there is no doubt about and I have total confidence that he will be back in a short period of time. That's not a long period of time. Would we want it to be less? Absolutely, but it is what it is at this given time and you go forward. There are other injuries that could have been worse. Not that you want any. But I look at the positive side."

Brodeur was injured in the second period of Saturday's 6-1 win over Atlanta. He fully extended his left arm to try to make a catching glove save on a shot that went wide and immediately grabbed his left elbow afterward. The Devils initially said it was a bruised elbow.

Lamoriello said he didn't know if this injury occurred at that moment or if it was a wear and tear thing that built up over time.

"It's something you never know if it occurred at that moment," Lamoriello said. "He feels fine right now. He has no swelling. He has no anything. No black and blue. He's gone through an extensive diagnosis over the last couple of days with MRIs so there was no chance of anything. The decision made this morning was to go ahead and we're all totally comfortable it's the right decision."

Kevin Weekes, who now takes over as the Devils' No. 1 goaltender, had surgery to repair a torn biceps tendon in his left arm this summer. Lamoriello was unsure if this is the same tendon.

"I couldn't say it's the exact same thing because they're all different," Lamoriello said.

This could be devastating for the Devils season.

"When you have a Marty Brodeur as a goaltender and he's out for a significant amount of time sure it certainly gives you a knot in your stomach, but you have move forward," Devils coach Brent Sutter said. "I'm confident and I trust the players here that they will do what needs to be done to move forward."

"Injuries are part of the game," Lamoriello said. "There's no question Martin Brodeur is an integral part of our team. This is where other people have opportunities. Other people have to step up, but you don't approach it any other way. I still feel strongly about our team. We'll be getting some people part shortly, but the people in that locker room right now have more than the abilities to do what's necessary to have success."

This was to be a historic season for Brodeur. He's still eight wins away from breaking Patrick Roy's record of 551 career wins. Now that will be put on hold for a while.

"It still can be," Sutter said. "Again hopefully things will work out with the healing process and a lot of things can still happen for him this year. If not, it can happen for him next year. It's inevitable it's going to happen. We all know that. Marty's still got lots left in his tank. This is the first significant injury he's had. That's pretty remarkable for the amount he plays."

Sutter said Lamoriello told him about the severity of Brodeur's injury after this morning's brief practice.

"I didn't really know (what to expect) because there was a process that we went through with the extent of the injury with doctors and so forth," Sutter said. "I guess when you're going through that, you're always in the back of your mind that it might be a little more significant that you wanted. And yet when reality hits you, it's like 'OK this is finally happening now.' This is the finalization and you know what's going on and now let's start putting a plan in place and start moving forward."

Sutter said he told Devils captain Jamie Langenbrunner the bad news, but most of the other players had already gone home for the day.

Lamoriello said he does not feel the need to trade for another goaltender. Weekes will start Wednesday night's game against Tampa Bay.

Expect Scott Clemmensen to get a start as soon as this weekend -probably Sunday against Edmonton.

Comments

[HF]

its not to spin it and try to convince ourselves that there is some positive with marty going down. however, reality check for a second, this is devastating, our defence is awful and now we dont have marty to bail them out. Lou will do nothing and kiss this yr goodbye. im sick to my stomach....

[HF]

its niceto spin it and try to convince ourselves that there is some positive with marty going down. however, reality check for a second, this is devastating, our defence is awful and now we dont have marty to bail them out. Lou will do nothing and kiss this yr goodbye. im sick to my stomach....

[Sarah]

Well that'll ruin your day.

[Robbie]

Man, I think they can keep up the winning but it is gonna be tough. Weekes is a good goaltender. Its just the offense and defense has to do their part

[Chris]

Rangers fan here in relative peace -- really sucks for you guys -- but I'm glad Weekes is finally getting a shot somewhere.

THE EAST IS OURS !!! :)

[Lash26]

Well this is a nightmare. Guess this is our first taste of a Brodeur-less Devils. At least we have Clem to serve as back-up, heh, but I can't see Weekes playing as good as he did yesterday on a consistent basis. Any free agent goalies available? Maybe we trade for the Bulin-wall...

[skeeter]

I guess our average attendance will be somewhere around 10,000 the rest of the way. Anyone who says they didn't take this guy for granted for the last 14 years is lying, because I sure did. He's 36, these injuries will be more common as time goes on. I don't think it was the helmet, but maybe his defense allowing 48 shots on goal in the game before could have something to do with it.

[Ali-P]

Go Weekes! This guy can seriously shut down teams. My only concern is that he can't play every night like brodeur so Clemenson will need to play a few games and here and there. That I think is the bigger concern.

[Air Silks]

Lets try to look for some positives...in a day where the sky is black...broduer comes back mid February and the Devils are in the last two playoff spots, or not far from it, we get back a well resty Marty for the playoffs- something that can really be beneficial. Rolston and Holik also get to play less games overall perhaps keeping their legs fresher come playoff time too?

i am trying here

[Brodeur30]

The defense has been garbage for the past two years now, but they received more credit than was due because of Brodeur's phenomenal rebound control and ability to put the team on his back. We need a top-4 dman right now. No questions asked..

[jules]

I feel sick...hopefully Marty will not rush back. I would rather have him rest. And who knows - the Devils may still be able to make the playoffs.

All we can do is hope for the best and continue to support our team.

[Robbie]

I am sure you can get a good deal if we trade Elias

[Matt M.]

What horrible news this is.

[Mose]

On the bright side, we just cleared 5 mill of cap space for the next 4 months.

[LucasS]

I still wiping the tears from my face. So distraught it's not funny.

[TG]

It only clears that amount over the cap, but then you'll have to create that room to activate Marty. Don't expect the Devils to use that extra space.

[HF]

dont expect the devs to do anything. they acutally think the defense is solid....

[Drew]

I don't feel 100% confident in Weekes, but then again, you can't just find another Martin Brodeur sitting around idle.

Maybe for once, Marty will finally get his due as a true Hart MVP player, when the whole world sees how much he means to this team, should we not succeed without him.

I wish him a speedy recovery and look at this from a positive point of view (if there is one):

1. He will probably set the wins record towards the end of the season; a time I will be less busy and can travel to each game.
2. He will save the other wear-and-tare on his body which may extend his career with the Devils a year or two more down the line.

He is still the greatest goalie to play this game, and he will come back just as strong as ever!

[Gary]

Well we've been rumored to be getting Boumeester from FLA.Look for the trigger to be pulled if we start dropping a few in a row.

[aarrgghhhh]

yes, his cap hit would be drastically reduced. it's not the official way to do the math, but basically. you throw out the % of his salary for his downtime.

this couldn't be done in the case of Holik and Rolston because they signed over 35.

[HF]

were not getting jaybo get over it!!!

[kb]

I believe in Weekes, but I doubt he can play every game for 3 - 4 months. So what then ? Clemmensen ... *Goes into full panic mode*

[Brian D]

Yeah that was one hell of a bruise Lou. And will someone please toss that new mask into the Passaic River?

[Steve]

If the Devils played a better 1st period and someone other than Zach Parise could have stepped up and scored a goal for a change, the Devils could have beaten Buffalo.

Weekes will keep the team in the game, but someone has to step up. The veteran forwards have not played well this year and thats the major concern.

Wake up Jamie!!!!!!!!!
you've been a waste as Captain

[JerseyLove]

This is just devastating. I'm close to tears...