Devils welcome back another Martin

Martin Brodeur's return from a torn biceps tendon will get most of the attention tonight, but the Devils will also be getting back the services of defenseman Paul Martin, which is also significant.

Martin has missed the last four games with an upper body muscle pull and the Devisl went 2-2 in the four games without him. The Devils are 3-6 in games without Martin this season.

"It changes the dynamics in terms of guys' ice time and puts players in different situations," Devils coach Brent Sutter of playing without Martin. "Paul is one of our top D-men with puck moving, controlling the puck. He's the type of guy that's probably our best at doing that, so when he's not there it's a different type of defense. I don't mean that in a bad way, but our whole dynamics as far as the defense goes changes when Paul is not in the lineup. Guys are playing certain minutes they're not usually in and in situations they're not usually in and it changes some things up."

This was the same injury that caused Martin to miss five games in November. He believes that it's behind him now.

"I do, but at the same time I did the last time too," Martin said. "It feels better than it did. There's been no side effects, no issues as far as (thinking) maybe I shouldn't come back...So we'll see what happens. It feels good go to night and we'll take it day to day."

I asked Martin if he expected a standing ovation tonight in his first game back.

"I'm sure someone else is going to get the standing ovation," Martin said. "I'll try to make sure his return is as easy as possible."

***

Goaltender Kevin Weekes said he text messaged Scott Clemmensen Wednesday night, but held off from calling him because Lowell had a game Wednesday night (Clemmensen did not dress for Lowell's 4-3 OT loss in Worcester). Weekes planned to talk to Clemmensen, who was sent down Wednesday, later today. Devils captain Jamie Langenbrunner also said he would try to contact Clemmensen today.

Mike Rupp said he texted Clemmensen Wednesday. Defenseman Jay Leach was one of the few to speak to Clemmensen. He said Clemmensen was disappointed, but expressed the same positive attitude that he expressed in Wednesday's conference call with the media.

Comments

[nnjrules]

Pens trade whitney to Ducks for Chris Kunitz and Eric Tangradi.. Opens door for Neids and or Pronger to be traded now

[JJ]

Hmmmm, interesting. I really hope the Bruins don't get Pronger.

[modnarm]

woww. I realllllllly want Nieds back. We really have 1 legitimate puck mover in Martin.. the rest are just -ok-. I want Niedermayer's gray/black playoff beard, his determination, his all-star skill, his leadership. MAKE THE MOVE LOU! i feel like its GOING to happen. Why WOULDN'T it happen??? THIS IS YOUR HOME SCOTT!

[Jason]

What is with all this texting? Pick up the phone and call the guy. Either you care about how he's feeling or you don't.

[JJ]

What a birthday present it would be to get a guy who is possibly my favorite Devil of all time back! That said, I'll take Pronger too. :) I doubt Anaheim will move him if there's a possibility he's gonna play next year. What would the Ducks want in return is the REAL question?

[E30325i]

The Devs can't seem to get out of their end cleanly without Martin...I'm glad he's back in the lineup and healthy.

[nnjrules]

whitney is more of a neids type player.. Pronger is locked for another year. I assume neids would go

[JJ]

If Neider tells the Ducks he's playing next year they'll move Pronger but he hasn't made a decision. He has said he wants to play in the Olympics though so that's probably an indication that he'll want to play one more year. Brother Rob is a UFA also, maybe they both go to Vancouver for cheap. Tough call for Anaheim.

[Shari]

I thought that Nieder already said that he will play next year. I could be wrong though.