(30) defends the goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
It’s time to put an end to the Martin Brodeur era in St. Louis. The future Hall-of-Famer has been part of a three-headed monster in net for the Blues since Brian Elliott recently returned from injury. We knew this time was going to come soon and Brodeur’s tenure in St. Louis could have been a brief one and now it’s time to move on for all parties involved.
Brodeur has posted a 3-3-0 mark in seven games since he began sharing time with youngster Jake Allen and now, Allen and Elliott. His .899 save percentage and 2.87 goals against is about what you would expect for a 42-year old on his last legs. The Blues sit in third place in the Central Division heading into action Tuesday night, and it’s time the organization cut ties and hand the reigns back over to the Elliott and Allen duo.
It’s been an odd sight to see Martin Brodeur in something other than a Devils’ jersey and while it should have been the only jersey he ever wore, I can’t blame the man for wanting to hang onto the one thing he was put on this planet to do (plus he’s now only nine wins away from 700 in his career). And while his Blues’ jersey should be a retro-version soon enough, it doesn’t mean Brodeur should be out of work the rest of the season. Not at all. In fact there are a number of teams in the market for a backup goalie that could use Brodeur, and over the next few pages we’ll explore the most realistic options for Brodeur to continue employment after his tenure in St. Louis (hopefully) ends.
Next: New York Islanders
Nov 21, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Islanders goalie
(30) makes a save against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
New York Islanders
The Islanders are tied for first place in the Metropolitan Division heading into Tuesday night thanks largely in part to starter Jaroslav Halak. Halak has won 18 of his last 21 starts and has posted a 2.28 goals against average and .916 save percentage on the season. He’s been everything the Islanders could have hope for, and more, when they acquired him this summer.
And then there is the backup position.
Chad Johnson was signed to a two-year deal worth a total of $2,600,000 this summer to stabilize a position that has been a tire fire in recent years for the Islanders. His win-loss record is a respectable 5-5-0, something most teams would sign up for from their backup. However, beyond that, it looks grotesque. He has a ghastly 3.54 goals against average and .867 save percentage on the season. Unfortunately he’s played worse than those numbers as he often looks uncomfortable and unsure of himself in net, flopping around like a fish out of water. It’s becoming more and more clear that his standout season last year with Boston was an aberration and not the norm with Johnson.
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For Brodeur the move to the Islanders would at a minimum be familiar as he’d get to square off against the same division foes he’s faced his whole career. Sure, he wouldn’t have the Islanders to beat anymore (he’s won 52 games against them in his career, most against any team), but it’d also give him the opportunity to play against his New Jersey Devils, a matchup that would no doubt cause a few heads to turn.
For the Islanders it’s a no-brainer as Johnson has been brutal and Kevin Poulin of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers has been underwhelming in his multiple NHL stints with the Islanders. Sure, if Halak suffered a serious injury the Islanders would be sunk, but at least Brodeur would give them a boost over what they currently have behind him and be able to regularly spell Halak and his injury history.
Next: Nashville Predators
Jan 4, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Nashville Predators goalie
(30) blocks a shot against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Nashville Predators
Similar to the Islanders, the Predators are atop their division thanks in large part to the Vezina-caliber play of starter Pekka Rinne. Rinne has been a workhorse, starting 34 of the Predators’ 39 games so far, one season removed from missing significant time with injuries. With a suffocating defense, elite goaltending, and a high-quality offense, this team is built for a long playoff run, assuming Rinne stays healthy.
Unfortunately for the Predators, backup Carter Hutton hasn’t been able to replicate his season from last year. He’s only started five games so far this season, yet to win one. His 2.75 goals against average and .899 save percentage fail to inspire confidence, and it’s clear that coach Peter Laviolette does not have faith in the 29-year old.
Enter Martin Brodeur. While on the face it would not appear to be much of an upgrade, if at all, Brodeur’s resume should at least force Laviolette to rest Rinne more in order to keep him fresh for the playoffs. Brodeur wouldn’t have to move far from St. Louis and would be able to remain in the same division, perhaps even getting the opportunity to play against the Blues before the season ends. Brodeur’s three Stanley Cup rings and swagger in the net (even after losing a step or two) should give the Predators confidence to play him 10-12 games the final half of the season and prepare for a playoff run. For the surprising Predators, it makes sense.
Next: Minnesota Wild
Dec 17, 2014; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Boston Bruins forward
(32) during overtime at Xcel Energy Center. The Bruins defeated the Bruins 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota Wild
To be fair, they could use an upgrade at starter as well and while Martin Brodeur can’t carry the load anymore, he may not be a bad option for a timeshare with the Wild. Minnesota is on the fringe of the playoff race in what would be a disappointing season after expectations were high after a second round appearance last year. They need an upgrade, and they need it quick.
De facto starter Darcy Kuemper and Niklas Backstrom have struggled between the pipes as the team’s collective save percentage is sitting at only .899. The team just hasn’t been good enough, losing seven of its last nine before Tuesday, and a shakeup and addition of Brodeur would at least provide another competent body to compete for time in net. With Josh Harding demoted to the AHL (plus his medical history), Brodeur may be the Wild’s best shot at finding a potential starting net minder for little cost.
It’s no guarantee that Brodeur would want to sign with the Wild as they have some work to do just to get back into a playoff spot. However, the Wild may offer Brodeur the best opportunity to be more than a backup. So ultimately it will come down to whether Brodeur wants a realistic shot at another Stanley Cup, or whether he wants to play more. If playing time is his motivation, the Wild make plenty of sense. Plus he can hang out with old friend Zach Parise.
Next: Tampa Bay Lightning
Dec 31, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) makes a save during the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Tampa Bay Lightning
This is an interesting scenario because they have a legitimate number one keeper in Ben Bishop, although his play has dropped off from last year. The primary backup, Evgeni Nabakov, is 39 and has posted a .892 save percentage and has largely struggled this season. And they have uber-prospect Andrei Vasilevskiy waiting in the wings who has looked impressive in four starts with the Lightning this season.
The Lightning have aspirations of a Stanley Cup this year, and while you can make the argument that Vasilevskliy should be the number one for that scenario. However after signing Bishop to a two-year extension this summer, it’s unlikely the Lightning are ready to make that call just yet. More likely they prefer Vasilevskly in the minors playing the majority of the games there.
That leaves Bishop and Nabakov to carry the load for Tampa…for now at least. If people say Martin Brodeur has lost a step, then Nabakov has lost about three steps. He’s had a fine career but it’s clear he just can’t play at a high level anymore. Brodeur would offer an upgrade at the backup spot, and also give Tampa Bay another option in case Bishop goes down with injury again.
Plus for Brodeur, there are a lot worse places to be in the winter than Tampa Bay.
(29) faces the San Jose Sharks attack during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Sharks defeated the Stars 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Stars
About three weeks ago this wouldn’t have made a lot of sense. However after an 8-1-1 run the Stars have propelled themselves back into the outskirts of playoff contention.
Their resurgence has coincided with goalie Kari Lehtonen playing his best hockey of the season. However the backup play from Anders Lindback has been downright atrocious so far. Don’t believe me? Just check out these numbers through Monday: 1-5-0 record, 4.28 goals against average, and a .864 save percentage. I’ve seen better numbers from beer-league goalies than that and Lindback should be far, far away from a NHL roster at this point.
So, hello Martin Brodeur. Again, this may be a situation where Brodeur gets to choose between playing time and a chance to win. Despite the Stars’ recent hot play, they still find themselves on the outside looking in at the Western Conference playoff picture. But while Lehtonen is the clear number one, he has faced injury issues in the past and there may be a realistic chance to Brodeur to get significant time down the stretch as he looks to close out the season and possibly his career.
So while the chapter in St. Louis may be coming to a close, there still may be more to the story to write for Martin Brodeur.
