Devils Alley: How Will Martin Brodeur Perform in 2011-2012
Before the 2008-2009 season, New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur hadn't played less then 65 games since the 1995-1996 campaign. Since coming into the league in 1990, Brodeur has become a workhorse for a Devils organization that has won three Stanley Cups in his time between the pipes.
However, the past three years have been rough on Brodeur, who only played in 31 games during the 2008-2009 season and 56 in the 2010-2011 campaign. The elbow injury that he suffered last year not only hurt his play but also cost him his starting job midway through what was one of the worst seasons for the Devils in recent memory.
In 2011-2012, Brodeur returns to the the starting role that he has held for more then 15 years, only this time he may not have to be a workhorse. Backup goalie Johan Hedberg, who split time with Brodeur in 2010-2011, proved that he is capable of playing at a high level for the Devils, and Brodeur explained that he is OK with playing less time.
"With having Heddy around it's a lot different," Brodeur told the Bergen Record. "I don't know if it's what I'm ready for (how many starts), but regardless of the amount of games, I'll be OK with it."
Hedberg played surprisingly well in 2010-2011, and he was one of the biggest reasons why the Devils had a surge toward the end of the season. However, benching a future Hall of Famer in Brodeur for Hedberg isn't in the best interest for the Devils, especially if he is healthy.
A healthy Brodeur is still one of the best goalies in the NHL. In the two years that Brodeur was hurt recently, he had a goals allowed average (GAA) of 2.41 and 2.45. However, he posted a 2.24 GAA in 2009-2010, one year after missing most of the 2008-2009 campaign. If he recovers like he did a few years ago, the Devils could go back to the playoffs.
Brodeur also knows that he must succeed in order for this team to win. "I want to make sure I play well and the team is going to need me to play well with all the young guys we have," Brodeur said.
The Devils defense is very young, with rookie 18 year old Adam Larsson potentially leading the way for the first or second unit when the season starts on Saturday. There are no longer veterans like Colin White leading the first line, and past defensemen like Scott Stevens and Scott Neidermayer are having their numbers retired.
No doubt about it, Brodeur will need to return to his Hall of Fame form in order for the Devils to win. He has been good so far in the preseason, posting a 2.39 GAA and a .917 save percentage. He has been significantly better then Hedberg in seven games (3.00 GAA, .857%), which gives him the upper-hand going into the regular season.
When Brodeur plays more then 70 games in a season, he has only had a GAA higher then 2.40 just once in his career (2005-06). However, when he plays injured and battles through the season, his GAA has been higher then 2.40 twice.
If Marty can stay healthy, expect him to play at a high level. However, if another injury hurts the Hall of Famer, expect another long year for both him and the rest of the New Jersey Devils.
