When a Legend Falls: Life Without Brodeur

When a legend falls, it’s hard to contemplate life without. Since I can remember watching hockey, the man between the pipes of my favorite team has always been Martin Brodeur. However, with him out over six weeks now and still a good two months off from coming back, let’s look to see what has happened.

When a starter goes down on a one goalie team such as the Devils, it is expected that the backup simply takes his place. Having loads of experience, the 33-year old Kevin Weekes was the natural candidate for this position.

That is besides the fact that his first few games didn’t go so well. Unfortunately for Weekes, when Scott Clemenson got his turn, he got hot. Right now he’s 8-3-1 in 12 starts with a 2.38 GAA and a .920 saves percentage, or compared to Marty’s 10 starts at 6-2-2, 2.18 and .920, pretty damned good.

Then again, the defense is not what it used to be. Gone are the days of the Scotts (Stevens and Niedermayer), Ken Daneyko, the Brian Rafalski. Now it’s Colin White and Paul Martin. They are good but as a whole, the six defensemen are lackluster at best, and without the guidance of Brodeur, seem perpetually lost while floating around the defensive zone.

The defense still needs work in transition as well, there is no real puck moving defensemen on the team right now, Martin is decent, and when he was up so was Salmela, but not the quality needed. But not to fear, for Zach Parise’s here!

With the reduction of the league’s best goaltender (of all time) Sutter has opened the flood gates on the attack. If you can remember the last time the Devils scored eight goals in a game such as they did the Rangers last week, then you can also remember $1 gas.

In this more open style of play, and on the backs of Elias, Parise, Gionta, and Rolston will the Devils gallop in the Postseason. Just wait till Marty gets back; he may have to compete for his job again…or not.