Although Martin Brodeur has been reluctant to talk about Thursday's game as the target for his return with the New Jersey media -- perhaps because he does not want it to appear as if he is telling management when he will play -- he did so again in the final item in today's edition of his weekly column on ruefrontenac.com.
Translated from French, Brodeur wrote, "I [still] aim for a return to the game Thursday when the Avalanche visit New Jersey."
Brodeur explained that the team's busy schedule prevented him from having many full practices with the team this week when it was on the road, but he will get to practice, "Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and the coaches will decide then if I am ready to face the Avalanche.
Brodeur goes on to state, "I hope definitely that they will give me the green light because there's no doubt in my mind I shall be ready to play."
As I reported Saturday morning, Brodeur did not skate Saturday because he was ill. We'll have to wait until Monday to see how he is feeling because the team has today off.
I saw a report that Ryan Miller has a high ankle sprain from his collision with Gomez last night, the same injury that sidelined Rolston this season and Crosby last season for an extended time. If he's out for the rest of the season, would they go small and trade for Clemmer, or would they go after someone like Khabibulin, Toskala, or even Giguere?
Posted by: mikeP | February 22, 2009 at 11:21 AM
Who would the Devils get in return from Buffalo for Clemmensen?
Vanek? No.
Roy? No.
Pominville? Probably not.
How about Spacek? Decent defenseman who could help the Devils on the power play.
Stafford? The guy can score, but he's a fan favorite and everyone would jump into Lake Erie if he left.
Kotalik? He could use a change of scenery.
Connolly? Concussion-prone, but may be worth the risk as a rental.
Just some thoughts on who the Sabres could give the Devils for Clemmensen.
Posted by: Captain Cornholio | February 22, 2009 at 11:35 AM
they have no choice, they need golie
Posted by: frankie | February 22, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Now we will see what Rolston can really do playing with gio and elias...been waiting for this all season. I knew zubrus was getting lucky
Posted by: redante1 | February 22, 2009 at 12:23 PM
Now suddenly were not sooo deep on offense becuz madden, clarkson, shanny is not the best third line at all. Moving rolstons up is going to hurt our depth on foward
Posted by: redante1 | February 22, 2009 at 12:23 PM
That line didn't work in the beginning of the season, why would it work now? Elias isn't a center, Gio can only take faceoffs (barley), and Rolston needs a center to set his cannon up so he just shouldnt play center at all. Leave the lines alone, wait till Martin and Marty come back, then take it from there.
Posted by: YeahW/E | February 22, 2009 at 12:42 PM
How so redante, we just redistributed the offense, not diminished it. Let Holik, Zubrus, and Shanny play with each other. Madden, Pando, and clarkie becomes the checking line. Both lines have offensive ability. Bench Rupp until he gets over his loss to Orr.
Posted by: DH | February 22, 2009 at 12:45 PM
2 minutes into the second, Federov gave Washington a 3-1 lead over Pittsburgh.
Posted by: Robbie | February 22, 2009 at 01:31 PM
5-2 Washington at the end of the second.
Posted by: Robbie | February 22, 2009 at 02:06 PM
arnott? hahahha Just what i want, mr softie back. The guy is a walking piece of glass, shows flashes of using his talents half the time, 30 goal scorer twice, neither with the devils, one in a contact year. NO THANK YOU. Unless they are taking Zubrus straight up for him, no way. Sykora, another one, more off the ice issues than on ice was the reason he was traded, and if you dont know, no reason to post it here.
This team is lacking a top line Dman, Martin is a great 1A, kinda like rafalski was for stevens. The Devils need a pronger, or do you think we have the guy who will get in the face or Ovechkin or clear the net for a playoff series. Dont think so. Somebody said he is overpaid and overrated, loved that one, the guy is an Elite Dman, the kind you build teams around. If he is out there you go get him, short of Zajack Parise, Martin. I have no issue giving a AHL unproven prospect for him, regardless his name or draft status, and adding a 1st rounder.$6.25 for next year for him is a complete steal compared to what players are making now.
As far as centers go, Patrick O'Sullivan on the kings, not sure they would move him, but good fit. Jeff Halpern, Antripov also. Maybe Lou take a run at Gaborik, and slide rolston to center, of takes a shot at Sakic, who is due back soon
Posted by: nnjrules | February 22, 2009 at 03:34 PM
Wow. Sakick? Gaborik? Both injury prone players Lou would never go after and i would never want them on this team. Gaborik is out for the rest of the season in case you didnt hear. Arnott would be a great pickup for a center for Gio and Patty. All we'd have to give up is Zubs, a 2nd round pick and a prospect. Most likely a D man cuz Nashville needs one despritely.
The only move for a D man would be for Leopold. Give up Greene and Corrente. If Lou was able to get Sal for Janssen, im sure her can get Leopol for that.
Posted by: Sohl | February 22, 2009 at 04:02 PM
Gaborik isnt out for the year, Sakic, is not either. Nashville needs D???? They are loaded with Dmen, if anything they will trade one of them for a winger. If you are willing to part with Corrente for Leopold, who is johhny O light, no pun intended. Leopold has missed 60 games 2 years ago and half the season last year. He is not the answer in my opinion. We already have guys like him, why not get the type of guy you dont have? Pronger eat minutes alive, has a bomb of a shot, runs the PP, runs a PK, plays in your face nasty hockey, and can move the puck with great outlet passes. Oh and he is under contract for another year. IF he is on the trade block, move on him. If we can get Morrison as part of the deal great too. Although still isnt back into form. from his past injuries
Posted by: nnjrules | February 22, 2009 at 04:21 PM
I don't want Sykora back. He sat out in the 2002 playoffs crying because Arnott was traded.
Posted by: Nick | February 22, 2009 at 04:34 PM
Gaborik is out for the rest of the season, he had season ending surgery a couple of months ago. Usually season ending surgery means, hes out for the season. Theres no way in hell were getting Sakic either, he signed a 1 yr deal this season and this is most likely his last season and wants to spend it with the Avs. Pronger isnt comming here either, if we wanted him wed have to give up Martin to start and Lou has already stated that he's not willing to trade Martin for anyone. Im thinking of deals that make sense for both teams, not just fantasy ones that we would love, like Jay-Bow.
Posted by: Sohl | February 22, 2009 at 04:53 PM
I really don't think Pronger would cost us Martin since the Ducks are looking to shed salary, even though Martin < Pronger. I could def see giving Oduya, Greene etc though.
Martin would be the price for JBou if we make a trade though.
Posted by: Pat | February 22, 2009 at 05:31 PM
I posted this in the last post i thing but some people are making ridiculous trade offers that would never work. I saw Greene and something for someone like Spezza...that's ridiculous. I do agree on whoever said that Connolly from the Sabres could work if we want to send Clemmer that way. I do not think the Sabres would part with Roy but if we could get him, awesome. I also wouldn't mind seeing us get Antropov and then move Gionta in a package for a D-man. Maybe Hamhuis, Morris, Leopold. I'd prefer Hamhuis out of those three.
Parise-Zajac-Langenbrunner
Elias-Antropov or Connolly-Rolston
Shanahan-Madden-Clarkson
Pandolfo-Holik-Rupp
I don't know how I'd put together the D-pairs but maybe
Martin-Oduya
Hamhuis or Leopold or Morris-Salvador
White-and whoever we decide can be our 6th defensemen
Brodeur, Weekes
Posted by: Devs | February 22, 2009 at 05:45 PM
Gaborik did not have season ending surgery...he was supposed to be out ike 8-10 weeks starting in the middle of january
Posted by: Tim | February 22, 2009 at 05:47 PM
That sounds good as long as Rolston is comfortable playing the right side. That would definitely make the most sense having him in the top-6 too. My only question is where is Zubrus going? Antropov can be had for a pick. Clemmer for Connolly. Gio for dman.
Posted by: Pat | February 22, 2009 at 05:57 PM
oh i forgot zubrus...throw him on the third or fourth line and rotate people depending on how the play on a nightly basis
Posted by: Devs | February 22, 2009 at 06:00 PM
I see somebody wants to bring back the checking line with Pandolfo? LMAO! Those days are over...
Get the big lug Zubust off the second line and put him where he belongs on the 4th. We didn't give Rolston 5 mill a year to play wing on the third line. He got the big contract to play on the first or second. He really can't do much worse than Zubust and I'm positive he will produce more with that line because unlike Zubust he can actually score goals!
Shanahan was not added to this team so that he could watch the Devils play for 50 minutes a game on the bench with the 4th line. He needs to move up to the the third with Mad Dog and Clarkson.
Posted by: Topshlf | February 22, 2009 at 06:52 PM
I'm sitting here watching the Bathgate-Howell ceremony at The Garden, and I can't help but think that it looks like hockey's version of Old Timers' Day at Yankee Stadium. The parade of former Rangers and other players seems a bit much to me. At any moment, I'm expecting to hear Robert Merrill's rendition of our national anthem. Just lift the numbers to the nosebleeds, already!
By the way, if the Rangers don't win tonight, then Renney's toast!
Posted by: Captain Cornholio | February 22, 2009 at 07:02 PM
I for one, don't care if he comes back thursday. As long as he is 100% ready to go for the playoffs!
Posted by: Mike | February 22, 2009 at 07:41 PM
It would never happen cause Lou would never trade in the division but i wish we could just trade Gionta for Jordan Staal... works so well for both of us. We NEED a center for our second line and Elais - Staal - Rolston would be great. The Pens need a winger.
Posted by: Xander Crews | February 22, 2009 at 08:25 PM
Henrik Tallinder is a good defenseman from Buffalo, although he has battled injuries. He could be a target from Buffalo if they want Clemmensen. I know we can't be sure how well Marty will hold up, but at this point I am as confident in Weekes as I am in Clemmensen if Marty cannot play. Buffalo has depth on defense, so there could definitely be a match there.
Posted by: Just Some Guy | February 22, 2009 at 08:29 PM
after clemmensen gave up 13 GOALS (!!!!!) in the last 3 games, im happy to part with him if another team wants him. Weekes is just as good as a back up and i hope the rest of those fans who didnt want to see clemmensen gone realizes that he had his 15 moments of fame, and the league figured out his weakness's and hes not much use left to use....my 2 cents, you can all scrutinize me now haha
Posted by: shahjige | February 22, 2009 at 09:43 PM