Out with the Old Martin Brodeur, in with the New Carey Price

New Jersey Devils net-minder Martin Brodeur has little left to prove in the NHL, other than to break some long-standing records. 

The Hall of Fame goalie suffered an elbow injury that will keep him off the ice and likely in a sling for the next three to four months.  His return isn't expected until near the end of the regular season.

The injury means Brodeur will remain seven wins shy of tying former Montreal Canadiens goalie Patrick Roy on the all-time wins list, and only five shutouts short of tying Terry Sawchuk's record for the most shutouts.

While the news is certainly not welcome to the Devils, or to any fan of the game, Brodeur's early departure makes room for current Habs goal Carey Price to take the reigns of NHL goalie supremacy.

Price took the necessary steps to do just that during the summer when he shed almost 30 pounds of extra weight. 

Whether or not the extra pounds played a part in the Habs' second round exit in the Stanley Cup playoffs, the newer, slimmer Price has racked up some impressive numbers to date (2.17 goals-against average, save percentage at .928). He's also earned himself a little more respect in the dressing room. 

He's built up his mental toughness, which should help considerably as the season moves full steam ahead.  By the time the Canadiens got around to battling the Philadelphia Flyers in the conference semis, Price was burnt out.  After two years of nothing but hockey, it's understandable. 

He has persevered, however, learning to recover quickly from disappointment and criticism in a very harsh hockey market.  You can give some credit to coach Guy Carbonneau for getting Price back on track. 

When Carbonneau chose to put Jaroslav Halak in net for that one playoff game against the Flyers, it sent a clear message to Price: Get it done or step aside. 

Fortunately for the team, the coaches, and the city, Price is getting it done and has become a key piece of the Canadiens' centennial push for its 25th Stanley Cup.

He has also been recognized by having his name on the fan balloting for the All-Star Game, which will be held in Montreal this season.   It's a first for him and all the more poignant now that Brodeur is out of the mix.

Brodeur, during his 15-year tenure in the NHL, proved himself a worthy successor to Roy when Roy hung up the pads.  He is arguably the best goalie still playing the game. But at 36 years old, age is catching up with Brodeur and only time will tell if he'll be able to completely mend from this injury.

In the meantime, there is Carey Price and his rising star.  He has done little to convince the hockey pundits that he isn't a worthy successor to Brodeur, and with the hockey gods shining down on the 21 year old, a possible Hall of Fame career could certainly be in the cards.

But for now, Canadiens fans would be happy just to see Price hoisting a Stanley Cup at the Bell Centre.