BT's 2008/09 NHL Season Preview: New Jersey Devils

Brodeur also has four Vezina trophies to his credit, but he also has four William M. Jennings trophies as well. An interesting stat is that those awards only crossover twice—the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons. Brodeur’s other two Jennings trophies came in 1996-97 (with Mike Dunham) and 1997-98 (when he was the lone recipient), while his two lone Vezinas came in 2006-07 and 2007-08—that’s two different kinds of domination.

On top of that, Brodeur has had two seasons with GAAs under 2.00, two seasons with GAAs under 2.10, and back-to-back seasons of GAAs under 2.20 (2.17 in 2006-07 and 2.18 in 2007-08).

And he’s inches away from the all-time shutout mark.

But aside from all of that, Brodeur is still 36, and had a very rough go of it—Sean Avery or not—in the playoffs last year against the Rangers (1-4, 3.19 GAA, and a .891 save percentage).

Although the Devils will be in trouble if they have to rely solely on Weekes and Clemmensen, they’re going to have to cut down Marty’s workload if they expect him to carry them through the playoffs once again.

Who forgot to tell Ken Daneyko it’s homecoming season?

I don’t know why, but for some reason New Jersey decided to bring back Brian Rolston and Bobby Holik.

The Brian Rolston signing, although it caught me off guard, I can live with. The fact is, Rolston still has some life left in his legs, and he can still kill penalties and unleash his shot when he wants. He’ll also be a great role model for a young guy like Zach Parise.

Throughout his best years in New Jersey, Holik was a solid two-way performer, who was able to contribute in a big way to two Stanley Cup runs, posting 50-60 points per year.

As people began to “take notice” of Bobby Holik and think he was “underrated”, he soon got “his due” from the Rangers in the 2002 offseason, becoming one of the overpaid, underperforming New York Rangers of the mid 2000’s.

Now though, the Devils look to be overpaying for a 37-year-old, 30-point producer who has looked like one of the weaker links in Atlanta the past few seasons—a great way to spend $2.5 million.

Bobby Holik, inadvertently or not—I mean, who WOULDN’T sign that contract put forth by the Rangers), helped in causing the lockout. I agree in saying that Holik got a terrible rap for the contract he was offered

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