Clemmensen surprised and disappointed, not bitter; Hopes to get back to NHL

Goaltender Scott Clemmensen said he was "surprised" and disappointed" when Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello informed him Tuesday that he was going to be sent down to Lowell of the AHL.

Still, after earning 25 wins for the Devils this season and helping them surge into first place in the Atlantic Divisions, he says he has no "bitterness" over the decision.

"Just because this is the situation, it doesn't mean that I have to like it," Clemmensen said this afternoon. "But on the other side I believe I made the most of an opportunity and I have no regrets during my past couple of months there with the team. I feel like I did as much as I could and because of that I'm not going to take any ill will me down (to Lowell). It will be hard watching them play and it will be, obviously, disappointing to be not part of the team I think more than anything, but I'm not going to have a bad attitude. I don't think that would be helpful to anyone.

"It's a situation that I have no regrets about anything. It doesn't mean I like the situation that I'm in, but I'm not going to have a bad attitude because my hockey career is too short to go a day and have any kind of ill will in that fashion. This is a good point for me to go forward. It's not that my hockey career for me is ending now. I think I've progressed in a certain amount of ways. I still think I have a lot ahead of me in the future."

Clemmensen said a trade before the March 4 trade deadline was one of "a number of the different scenarios" he discussed with Lamoriello in their meeting Tuesday.

"My hope is to get on the NHL roster as fast as I can," Clemmensen said. "Where that is, is out of my hands. (A trade) is obviously an option, I feel. So, regardless of how it plays out, I would hope to be in the NHL as soon as possible whether it be with the Devils or, if the situation plays itself out, with another team. That's always option and, for myself, it will be a wait-and-see situation." 

Of a trade, he said. "That was an option that was discussed among many others, but ultimately it is their decision. I understand the business side of it and I understand all the options that are available to them. It doesn't mean I have to like it, but there's a number of things that could change in a short period of time. Most of those are out of my control. Whatever happens, doesn't mean I have to like it, but it's out of my hands."

An option that neither Clemmensen nor Lamoriello discussed with the media today would be a trade of Kevin Weekes. Weekes would have to clear waivers to be sent down, so sending him to Lowell was not a real possibility at this time. But it is possible that Clemmensen could be in Lowell only for as long as it takes Lamoriello to move Weekes.

Devils coach Brent Sutter repeatedly went back to Clemmensen over Weekes and, if the team intends to limit Brodeur's starts initially as he regains his form heading into the playoffs, Clemmensen might be the better option.

Clemmensen did not have to clear waivers to be sent down because he was on emergency recall after Brodeur's injury. He would have had to clear waivers to be sent down, however, if the Devils decided to keep him for a while after Brodeur was activated.

After March 4, Clemmensen could be called back up and would not have to worry about being sent down without clearing waivers again.

So, the possiblity remains that Clemmensen could end up back in New Jersey this season.

"I don't know what's going to happen," he said. "A lot could change in the next week especially and even after that. It's just the same as when I was called up in mid-November. It was an unknown time for the team and, at this point, I think there still might be some unknowns out there. I was surprised to get the call in November to come up. It's something that you just have to be prepared for. So, if that can happen to me in November, I don't see why something just as strange or a similar situation can't happen in the future. Regardless of the circumstances, I would assume and I hope the team would do everything they could to get me back there, as well."

Clemmensen said Lamoriello, "explained to me the entire situation" during their meeting on Tuesday.

"A lot of it has to do with off-ice issues, the business side of hockey and I respect their decision-making process in that manner and I also respect the way it was handled," Clemmensen said. "It doesn't change anything as far as the amount of respect or the personal relationship that I have with Mr. Lamoriello or with anyone else with the Devils for that matter. But I was surprised and dissappointed."

As disappointed was he was with being sent down, Clemmensen left open the possibility of re-signing with the Devils when he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

"It still is a possibility," Clemmensen said. "Like I said, I don't harbor any ill feelings toward the team or the organization. Am I disappointed? Yeah. Surprised? Maybe. Upset? A little bit. But, at the end of the day, I understand the business side of it and it doesn't take away from the relationships I have on the team or with the management even. The amount of respect that I have for everyone has not wavered at all and so, if it (re-signing with the Devils) is an option to me, I will definitely look into it. I'm not going to rule that out at this point. That is kind of a long way off now, but it it still is an option, yes." 

Clemmensen said he has not spoken to Weekes or Brodeur since he was sent down, but he has heard from some other teammates.

"My phone has been ringing a lot today," Clemmensen said. "I've heard from a number of different people within the organization. It makes me feel good. It was like a family to me the last couple of months. That's why it was so disappointing. That's why it's going to be very hard for me to watch them team from this point on, not being there."

Regardless, Clemmensen has demonstrated that he is capable of playing regularly in the NHL.

"I would hope so," he said. "First and foremost, you want the respect of your teammates and then after that the coaching staff. I believe that I did make the most of an opportunity that was given to me in the last couple of months, which was different than in years past. I have no regrets about it. It was a very fun time for me. If nothing else, I believe I have proven myself to a lot of different people and I think for myself and my career the future will be good to me."

What was the highlight of his run in New Jersey?

"I think the highlight for me is not really anything personal or any one game in particular," he said. "There were stretches of games were it just seemed like we knew we weren't going to lose and the confidence level that everyone had, just that team atmosphere. It was a lot of fun to be a part of. I think that was the highlight for me, just being a part of that kind of team atmosphere where regardless of the time on the clock or the score we just knew we were going to win and went out there and did it. A lot of those games were come-from-behind games, overtime wins, things of that nature. It was really fun to be a part of."

***

I failed to include Sutter's comments about Clemmensen earlier today.

"First and foremost, Clemmer did a great job," Sutter said. "No. 1, Clemmer is a great person and, No. 2, him and Weeksie have done an outstanding job since Marty's been out. Yet, circumstances are circumstances. He took advantage of a situation and it's a big credit to him and Weeksie for doing that."

Comments

[Matt]

Scotty Clemmensen is what my people call a "mensch". He is also one heck of a classy guy.

[Pat]

Can anyone confirm this? It says if Clemmer is not on the roster before the trade deadline, he can be called up for the regular season but is ineligible for the playoffs.

http://www.bucketofpucks.com/bucket_of_pucks/2009/02/its-official-martin-brodeur-will-start-tomorrow-22609-vs-colorado-clemmensen-demoted-to-ahl.html

I just earned some extra respect for him from his comments about being traded possibly. He's a classy guy. Too bad he'll never wear the red and black again.

[Puckster]

Good luck to Clemmer wherever he ends up. Devils fans should not forget what he did for us this season.

[jdr30]

My guess is he will be traded. He deserves to play and the devils would have had to put Weekes on waivers and he probably would have been claimed. Clemensen was the only option they had. Id like to see him be traded to a team where he can play as a #1 goalie.

[embo slice]

great job scott......TG, if you haven't already, let him know the fans appreciate what he has done

.....that being said, this is playing out exactly like i thought it would since the first report a couple months ago that marty was on track....i never thought they would keep 3 goalies and almost no matter how well clemmer played, he was not going to remain with the big team when marty returned.....i think he will be traded, he has a higher trade value than weekes and i prefer the devils to have weekes as a backup anyway......so far there is no surprise at all to me what has happened; in fact, i would have been shocked if it didn't play out like this

[TG]

Not accurate. Mike Rupp played in the Stanley Cup Finals in 2003 and he wasn't on the roster before the trade deadline that season.

Clemmensen has played for the Devils this season already and is in their organization prior to the deadline. I believe that makes him eligible to play in the playoffs.

People might be thinking about Sean Avery needing to be on the Rangers' roster before the trade deadline to be eligible to play in the playoffs. That's because he's not currently Rangers' property. Ironically, Sean Avery would be eligible to play for the Stars in the playoffs.

[Matt]

i love brodeur weekes and clemmy but i think clemmy should be dealt to a team like the flyers who will give you a good player in return and allow clemmensen a chance at a cup i think that would be the best move. ( Also the devils need to deal for a defenseman boumeaster, kaberle, or chris pronger if you dont have to give to much away but without one of these defenseman i dont think new jersey will have a good enough defense in front of marty to win the cup. dont get me wrong white and martin are great and greene has stepped it up but thats not enough. PARISE FOR MVP! p.s. call up halischuk

[Braddock]

Classy move Lou! Best of Luck Clemmer. Maybe next year you'll play for a team that appreciates you pulling them out of the fire. You got your shot and made the most of it, which is more than you expected in Lowell, so keep your head up. Just keep thinking about the payday July 1st, it'll make the disrespect of having to ride the bus for a week worth it.

[Sav]

I think Clemmensen will be traded. Clemmer has proved he can be a #1 goalie in the NHL. Devils already have one...no need for another. Lou realizes Clemmer has potential trade value and thats will happen. Maybe a package deal with Pando for a top Defenseman????

[Just Some Guy]

It is beyond me how anyone can read the details regarding this move and not think that this was the obvious thing to do. Or think that this move lacks class and shows disrespect to Clemmensen. Jeez.

[mikeschoenf]

Just some Guy,

Im with you. what are you going to do? Clemmenson got his chance and these past couple months will set him for life with a new contract. If this did not happen he would have signed in Lowell again for $99,999.99. Now he will get a 2-3 year deal at 1.5 to 2 million dollars. Clemmer owes us as much we owe him. Cheers to Clemmer and thanks to Clemmer but boy I can not wait until number 30 is in net tomorrow.

[Braddock]

Just some guy, I see it that way for these simple reasons:

If I'm correct, there is no restriction on having 3 goaltenders on the roster, although only two can dress. Correct?

If he is going to be traded, he wouldn't need to be sent down for a week while he waits for the move. If he was respected by the org., he could've waited it out in the press box.

If he's being kept as insurance and will be called up in a week, again, it's just a minimal cost saving move and he still could have been kept up with the team he helped save.

But the only reason Lou gave was that there are 3 goalies and two nets in practice. Are they trying to save a buck against the cap from the lost IR exemption? Did they even use the LTIR for Marty? Are they trying to fill seats in Lowell?

Like I said on TG's last post, it is a business. But who wouldn't be in the organization or on the roster now if Clemmer hadn't stepped up and Lou had to trade for another Goalie? Why make the guy ride the bus for a week after what he did for the team? If I was looking to trade for him from another organization, it would just add leverage by saying the guy wasn't a full fledged NHLer to begin with and there's no guarantee he will be in the future. It may have cost the devs some value in a trade for Clemmer or even a couple of bucks for the guy in July.

It's about appreciation and class.

[Rob]

I'm pretty sure it won't matter to Clemmensen whatsoever, regardless of what happens, as long as he either:
A. Goes to another team
B. Comes back up to the Devils after the trade deadline
C. The Devils win the cup, and he gets his name on it

If he rots in Lowell, it will be a disgrace. That being said, I think it's a pretty smart move. I hope he gets traded, even if it's just for a pick in the draft. Knowing Lou, he'll work some magic and get something real good...

[futureman]

I agree it's a business. We can't make decisions based on anything other than value. If you have read the article it is pretty clear Lou had no choice in the matter. We will get something for Clemmer. Weekes would have been taken by another team on his way back down and we would have gotten nothing for him. Strictly buisness... GOOD LUCK SCOTTY

[Number6]

I wonder if there's a chance He'll go to the Avs, since they're in town and they're rumored to be looking for help in net.

[NickGpro]

Good Luck Clemmer! I hope we get to see Scott again in the red and black but if not I wish him much success where ever he turns up. He is a big reason we are in the position we are right now.

[Steve]

Broddock:

A. Having 3 goalies and 2 nets in practice doesnt work out

B. He will get playing time in Lowell instead of just sitting in the pressbox for however long

And, most importantly

C. Keeping him on the roster would give the Devils a full 23 man roster and inhibit them from making a move at the trade deadline without sending someone down.

[letsgodevils]

I agree with mikeschoenf. Although we do owe the season to Clemmensen so far, he also owes alot to the Devils. The Devils gave him the opportunity to make a name for himself. They played him night in and night out even when in my opinion Weekes deserved the start more than Clemmensen did. Being sent down to Lowell might give him the opportunity to be traded to a team where he will probably get 10xs more playing time than he would with the Devils now that Marty is back. I don't understand how giving him that opportunity can be looked down on. I do agree though that him spending anymore than a week or two in Lowell will be a complete waste.

[futureman]

Has nothing to do with class or appreciation. It has to do with our roster and how many spots are available. Keeping 3 goalies on would take away and extra roster spot that a deep team like the Devils depend on.

[Braddock]

Steve:

A. I can see that as a valid reason, in fact as the only reason he was sent down, although the team's been doing it for some time now waiting for Marty to return. I don't think it's that big a deal.

B. If he's being traded, it's a week. Carry him until he's moved. If he's coming back after March 4th, why send him down for a week other than reps?

C. You're assuming no one on the roster would be moved in a trade from the Devils.

It's just another instance in the business of hockey. It could have been handled better by the team considering how this guy's been for the org. over the years, especially this season. Just my opinion.

And yes, I did read the article.

[Matt]

What about sending Weekes down after the March 4th deadline? Would he still have to clear waivers? Maybe we wait until after March 4th and then swap Clemmer and Weekes?

[Shari]

I'm not at all shocked by this move, I kind of saw it coming in a way because of the waivers issue, (because Hockey is all about dollars and cents.) Part of me did wonder if he was going to go back down or if Lou was going to keep all 3 for a while. Scott is a class act and I hope that he can make it back to the NHL if not for The Devils then for another Team that will give him some solid playing time, I think that he has earned that. I still feel bad for him though going from a Jet to a Bus in a weeks time, talk about a reality check.

[Matt]

What about sending Weekes to Lowell after the trade deadline? Would he still have to clear waivers at that time? Could it be we will swap Clemmer and Weekes in a week?

[Rob E]

Matt - my apologies.
The NHL has no static playoff roster that must be submitted.
I knew that, but i had a momentary lapse of reason.

Clemmensen will be eligible for the playoffs if recalled after the deadline.

I've updated the post to acknowledge and correct my mistake.
Thanks for reading!
Rob
www.bucketofpucks.com

[Flyers Nation]

Way to screw another Loyal player. Lou--get clue you jackss.