Most of the Devils' players were on the ice and appeared ready to begin today's practice at Prudential Center when assistant coach Tommy Albelin blew his whistle and directed them to return to the locker room for a meeting.
Before Albelin called them back in, all three goaltenders were on the ice -- Martin Brodeur, Scott Clemmensen and Kevin Weekes -- loosening up.
Brodeur was ill on Saturday and did not skate, so he must be feeling better. He has one of the nets to himself while Weekes and Clemmensen are sharing the other net. That will allow Brodeur to get the maximum amount of work.
Practice today, Tuesday and Wednesday will be pivotal for Brodeur to get ready and meet his goal of making his return Thursday night against Colorado.
Defenseman Paul Martin is also practicing today after missing the last four games with an upper body muscle pull. Brendan Shanahan is the only player not on the ice.
The players left the ice for the meeting at 10:25 and returned at 10:40, so the meeting lasted 15 minutes.
The line combinations have reverted to what they had been with Dainius Zubrus back between Patrik Elias and Brian Gionta. Jay Pandolfo is filling in for Shanahan on the line with Bobby Holik and Mike Rupp.
Martin is paired with his usual partner, Johnny Oduya, and Bryce Salvador is back with Andy Greene. Jay Leach and Anssi Salmela make up the fourth pairing. (Below: some video I shot at today's practice. CLICK ON PHOTO TO START)
praying brodeur is able to play on thursday, im tired and hesitant with clemmensen now
Posted by: shahjige | February 23, 2009 at 10:40 AM
hOW CAN YOU KNOW THEY RETURNED TO THE ICE AT 10:40 IF YOU POSTED THE STORY AT 10:26?
Posted by: EM | February 23, 2009 at 10:43 AM
he can edit it
Posted by: gunnar stahl | February 23, 2009 at 10:50 AM
he updated his original story
Posted by: lucas | February 23, 2009 at 10:51 AM
he adds an update to the initial blog, which was posted at 10:26...this doesnt affect the initial posted time
Posted by: shahjige | February 23, 2009 at 10:52 AM
Lay off EM...Tom can update a post at any time. I certainly hope you aren't being accusatory.
Posted by: Baggy Spandex | February 23, 2009 at 10:53 AM
I read a rumor that supposedly Buffalo is interested in Weekes. Now I know it's just a rumor, but if we're going to trade any goalie, trading Weekes would be a huge mistake. His teamwork and locker room presence are irreplaceable, and he has been great his last few games. If we're going to trade anyone, trade Clemmensen. Weekes will be easier to re-sign this offseason if he wants to stay because he will ask for far less money and won't care if he starts x amount of games. I hope Lou is smarter than to trade Weekes unless we get Vanek in return, which obviously will not happen.
Posted by: Pete | February 23, 2009 at 10:56 AM
i would love to see:
Parise-Zajac-Rolston; Elias-Zubrus-Gionta; Pandolfo-Madden-Langenbrunner; Clarkson-Holik-Rupp
Posted by: Anthony | February 23, 2009 at 11:01 AM
i would think the captain would be pissed if he was put on the 3rd line
Posted by: shahjige | February 23, 2009 at 11:07 AM
You tell 'em BAGGY SPANDEX
Posted by: Burger Time | February 23, 2009 at 11:09 AM
I see no reason at all to break up the top line. the only adjustment I might make is putting rolston back with elias and gio.
Posted by: lucas | February 23, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Only thing is, where would shanny go? Pando's spot? Or Rupps? Dont be messing with the lines until the deadline, theyve worked out thus far, lets keep em that way.
Posted by: Sohl | February 23, 2009 at 11:12 AM
Do you know what the meeting with the officials is about? Possibly regarding the Montreal situation? And its the League? Not the PA? Thanks TG
Posted by: D Hoch 08 | February 23, 2009 at 11:18 AM
NOT BEING ACCUSATORY, THOUGHT MAYBE HE MEANT 9:25 AND 9:40, SINCE I WAS READING THAT PART AT 10:39 ACCORDING TO MY COMPUTER, BUT PERHAPS THE TIME ON MY COMPUTER IS OFF BY A FEW MINUTES....THANK YOU ALL FOR THE INSIGHT THOUGH...LOVE THIS BLOG, WOULDN'T WANT TO INSULT TOM IN ANY WAY...AS FOR LUCAS'S QUESTION WHERE SHOULD SHANNY GO? I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANY QUESTION...PANDO IS DEAD WEIGHT, SKATES WELL BUT HIS PASSING IS MEDIOCRE AND HIS SHOTS ARE ABOUT AS STRONG AND ACCURATE AS A 10 YEAR OLD'S, PERHAPS PANDO SHOULD CONSIDER SWITCHING ROLES AND BECOMING A DEFENSEMAN, HE MIGHT BE MORE EFFECTIVE IN THAT POSITION. RUPP WORKS HARD AND IS A PHYSICAL PRESENCE IF NOTHING ELSE, HE DESERVES HIS SPOT ON THE TEAM.
Posted by: EM | February 23, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Pando and Clemmer are trade bait at this point. Clemmer did a great job for us this year and he deserves the opportunity to start for a team elsewhere! It's not fair to him to have him take a back seat at this point so I say trade him while his value is high. People forget, Clemmer played in Toronto's minor league affiliate last year. We got him back for nothing. Pando's stock value is low. Very low at this point in his career. I can see his veteran leadership and defensive abilities as an added value to any young team in the playoffs but other than that???
I think I would like these lines myself:
Parise-Zajac-Langer; Shanahan-Zubrus-Elias; Rolston-Madden-Gio; Clarkson-Rupp-Holik
I think we need to move Shanny up and give him some more ice time. He has great playmaking abilities which would force Elias to shoot the puck more instead of making pretty passes all the time. Rolston and Gio could create some great chances by having Gio get back to screening and going for tip ins on Rolston's cannon from the point!
I don't think it makes any sense to go into the playoffs with a fourth defensive pairing of Salmela-Leach. That will get picked apart in the playoffs.
Just my two cents.
Posted by: Mike | February 23, 2009 at 11:28 AM
I'll be good to get Marty back. We need a kick in the butt. Been playing lackluster lately and we need someone to change that around. Also noticed we haven't fought in a while. Need a good fight to build momentum.
Posted by: Falcone | February 23, 2009 at 11:29 AM
QUESTION WAS BY SOHL, NOT LUCAS SORRY ABOUT THAT...
Posted by: EM | February 23, 2009 at 11:29 AM
Mike
Shanny is too slow to play with Elias
Posted by: Jeff | February 23, 2009 at 11:36 AM
i like the video you added today, maybe you could try one this more often?
Posted by: Joe | February 23, 2009 at 12:02 PM
i think giving shanny the added minutes would be a mistake, we need to keep his mins low to keep him fresh come the playoffs. Plus as someone else noted he wouldn;t be able to keep up with Elias and Gio.
I heard the buffalo rumor as well, and if we get a Dman back out of weekes i wouldn't be ashamed to move him if we had to. i have heard as well, that Lou has been in contact with the leafs regarding Antropov.... don't know how true it is, but it would be interesting to say the least.
Posted by: Pearl Jammed | February 23, 2009 at 12:14 PM
NYR FIRED HEAD AND ASSISTANT COACHES...GUESS THEY'RE DESPERATE
Posted by: EM | February 23, 2009 at 12:15 PM
Y is rolston still on third zubrus is a waste
Posted by: Stdce | February 23, 2009 at 12:17 PM
COACH WAS THE ONLY THING THAT TEAM HAD GOING FOR THEM AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED, WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS BLAME THE COACH THOUGH...HAHAH...NOW THEY CAN GET AVERY BACK AND ALL STROLL INTO HELL TOGETHER WITH KINK HENRIK LEADING THE WAY!
Posted by: EM | February 23, 2009 at 12:18 PM
KING HENRIK...HAHAH...I LIKE KINK BETTER THOUGH...
Posted by: EM | February 23, 2009 at 12:19 PM
Renney, and perren out, Jim "have another doughnut" Schoenfeld in....
Posted by: Pearl Jammed | February 23, 2009 at 12:23 PM