Brodeur says he'll be ready in "a week or 10 days"; Claude has flu; Shanny questionable

After taking part in his first practice with the full team today, Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur said he need about a week to 10 days"of work to get ready for his first game.

"It matter of a matter of a week or  maybe more, 10 days that I will be back," he said.

That puts him on target to make his debut on Feb. 26 against Colorado.  

Actually, Brodeur said he thinks he would play in a game right now, but he's not 100 percent yet, so he won't.

"It's going to come whenever I feel good enough," Brodeur said. "I'm comfortable to go into a game if I had to [Sunday], but I know I'm not 100 percent and that's why I'm not going to do it. But I'm comfortable doing it. That's why my next step is whatever they want."

Brodeur doesn't have to worry about playing Sunday or in the next week, though, because Devils coach Brent Sutter said that Brodeur probably won't get in enough practice time to get ready to play in a game until the team gets back from its three-game road trip to Florida (Tuesday), Tampa Bay (Thursday) and Long Island (Feb. 21).

"Wishful thinking," Sutter said of the idea of Brodeur being ready to play Sunday against San Jose. "We'll get him into some practices here. Until he gets into some practices and into some game-like situations where it's 3-on-3 and stuff like that,  we'll see how he responds to that...It's been tough here because of our schedule and it's going to be tough on the road with our schedule, so I don't think you should expect anything until after we get back."

Sutter said Brodeur will definitely accompany the team on the road trip, so he can continue practicing.

***

Sutter said he wasn't sure if Brendan Shanahan would be able to play Sunday. Shanahan had a "maintenance day" today and did not practice after blocking four shots with his feet and ankles on Fruday night.

***

I was going to talk to Claude Lemieux after the Sharks practiced here today at Prudential Center, but he has the flu and did not practice. I don't know if that means he is in jeopardy if missing Sunday's game.

I guess we'll have to wait until Sunday to find out.

***

I'll have more of Brodeur and Sutter said later. I'm going to head home first. It's crazy around here with Seton Hall hosting No. 1 UConn today.

Comments

[modnarm]

whata guy. let it be a STRONG return!

[Scott E]

On another related note... I hear TG's counterpart over at the Ledger will be doing double-duty for the Ledger and the NY Daily News. (Actually, not quite double-duty, it'll be the same article in two places).

http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/watchdog/blog/2009/02/first_read_this_on_the.html

I don't know what you think, TG, but this is good news for Devils media coverage. Rich Chere is the second-best Devils beat-writer out there! :)

[Jim B]

If Brodeur comes back and plays like the same old marty the Devils might be the toughest team to beat in the league, right now if they Devils play mediocre they arent guaranteed, but with marty in net we will win more of those off night games than lose.

Clemmer deserves a shot at no. 1 though and he wont get it in NJ so I can see him leaving in the offseason for some big money elsewhere.

[Prokat]

Nice article in the print edition of the Post today on Mottau and how he got to the Devils.I tried to find it on line to post but couldn't find the article in the Devils section.
The entire Devils D played great last night.
Mottau has done his job as the 5th-6th D man and playing with White they match up together great.
Looking forward to seeing what happens when Marty comes back

[Jeff]

I really think if we needed Marty to play he could this practice talk that Sutter always comes out with shows how at time he's still thinking about the Juniors. I am not getting down on Sutter but most players will say I need to get into a game to see where I stand you can only get so much done in practice.

[Rico Suave]

jeff, the reason he isn't being placed into the game is straight from marty b himself. he says his bicep still bothers him a bit, but is making progress every day. once the discomfort is gone, he's in.

[Kelly]

Hopefully Claude plays. He was my favorite Devil growing up!!!

[Jeff]

From Sutter's Mouth

"We'll get him into some practices here. Until he gets into some practices and into some game-like situations where it's 3-on-3 and stuff like that, we'll see how he responds to that...It's been tough here because of our schedule and it's going to be tough on the road with our schedule, so I don't think you should expect anything until after we get back."

[TG]

Marty himself said he's not ready. Sutter is not holding him back.

[Salvatore from Garfield]

Bummer! Even though I was at work, I was looking forward to claude playing Sunday. Rich Chere had a good article with some quotes from Claude today in the Ledger.

By the way, your pictures seem to be improving TG. What kind of camera are you using. A basic point and shoot, or an SLR?

[TG]

It's a basic point and shoot, digital. I took some video on it today, but haven't figured out yet how to post it on this site (or if that's possible).

I'll try again later.

[Nick]

TG, you could create your own channel on youtube and upload it there. Then you can link the little mini youtube on your blog.

[Nick]

Also: http://support.typepad.com/cgi-bin/typepad.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=237