A Bittersweet Ordeal
With the conclusion of yesterday’s exhilarating gold medal outcome between Team Canada and USA, it has drawn a conclusion to the 2010 Olympic games, which will resume four years from now in Sochi, Russia. Having said that, the 2010 Olympics have given us an entertaining and interesting two weeks of events in men’s ice hockey, some of which could potentially affect the team and players on the New Jersey Devils. First, let me extend my congratulations to Team Canada on their 3-2 overtime victory yesterday afternoon. Overall, it was an exciting game that I personally felt neither team deserved to lose. After being dismissed of having any chance to capture a medal going into the 2010 games, Team USA returns home with a respectable silver and may have critics think twice of writing them off in the manner they were this year, in the future.
Overall, the Olympics left me with a bittersweet taste, at least in my eyes. Aside from the momentous run that earned Team USA a silver medal and the emotional game of extremes they partook in yesterday, the events that transpired led to such outcomes that may be of relevance to the Devils. Last Sunday may have been the last time we will see future hall of fame goaltender Martin Brodeur represent his country in net after he and his team came short in a stunning 5-3 loss to Team USA. Brodeur, who has seemingly struggled with his annual workload in the weeks prior to the Olympic break, rode the bench as teammate Roberto Luongo maintained stellar net minding and helped lead Canada to their second gold medal in eight years.
For those that avidly follow the Devils, the fact Brodeur is and will always be the top dog in Jersey is just as true as water is wet. Marty undoubtedly has a sizable ego and tends to show it in unfavorable situations to him or when he’s put into question on any aspects of his game. Having said that, it’s something fans and probably coaches and teammates willingly overlook as his continual elite play in net compensates any of his alleged negatives. After stumbling into the Olympic break, what became of Marty during the tournament has a set of major pros and cons to consider. While he only played in two games and got a weeks worth of rest that he arguably needed more than anything, it’s how this came to be that gives me reason for concern.
Brodeur has had his share of discouraging obstacles throughout his career, unlike any other player and in recent times. When you consider how he was a focus of blame for the Devil’s early exit in last year’s playoffs and how he’s been pulled from games more frequently this year than in season’s past doesn’t appear to have significantly affected his confidence to the point where it’s shown in his play. While I’m sure Marty’s felt discouraged in the past, could this recent occurrence bare a different effect on him? After giving up five goals and playing a reckless game in Team Canada’s 5-3 loss to the United States last Sunday, just as many people pinpointed Brodeur as the culprit behind the stunning upset as there were that tried to make excuses for him or insisted the entire team let themselves down. Along with not making a start the rest of the tournament, it was clear when Team Canada head coach Mike Babcock announced the team was going with Roberto Luongo as their starter, he relinquished the reins from Brodeur that Luongo gracefully inherited.
Physically, Brodeur could have benefited from the week of rest, but I’m wondering how his forceful step aside affected him mentally and emotionally. I’m sure Marty acknowledges the likeliness that this may very much be the last Olympics he’ll participate in and despite capturing another gold medal, how his role rapidly dwindled and losing what may be the last game he’ll ever get to represent his country in net might not have been what Brodeur expected two weeks ago. While the past indicates Marty’s had a strong showing after every Olympics he’s been in, could his treatment in what may be his last Olympics be the ultimate blow to his confidence, or serve as a reality check? It’s clear that by going with Luongo, Team Canada said without words they lost most of the confidence they had in Brodeur being their top goaltender, who is someone that thinks they’re capable of handling any type of situation or game.
In recent years, the formula of Brodeur manning his annual regular season workload, picking up slack for the team’s weaknesses and voids, and spearheading the Devil’s charge into the playoffs has proved ineffective. Despite this unaltered outcome, Marty and the different faces that have coached him in that time appear to have been un-phased by the evident reality Brodeur can’t maintain the title of being a one man show anymore…which doesn’t necessarily mean he still isn’t among the league’s elite goaltenders or can’t play a pivotal role in his team’s playoff efforts. Perhaps that’s what Brodeur, and whoever else is involved in dictating how to handle Brodeur’s role on the team have trouble realizing, perhaps not. Although a well-rested Brodeur’s NHL campaign will resume tomorrow night in San Jose, it remains to be seen if his happenings at the Olympic games have affected him for the better or worse.
Pre-Game Lowdown: A Coastal Battle
After a much deserved break over the past couple of days, the New Jersey Devils are back in action tonight as they face off against the Vancouver Canucks at seven o’clock in Newark. The Devils have won their last three and are currently enjoying some winning success on home ice that they hope to continue tonight. While things have been looking up for the Devils, the Canucks have endured a roller coaster season so far, as they currently stand eleventh in the conference and split their last ten games at five apiece. Nonetheless, tonight is going to be a unique test for the Devils as they’ll face a team that isn’t native to the usual squads they’ve encountered this year. It’s been about a year since these two teams last met, so it might be a little difficult to determine what the Devils should expect from Vancouver or how to play them for that matter.
Some believe tonight is more than just a simple match up between two teams with vague familiarity of each other. It’s no new news that we’ll see two of the league’s elite goaltenders, Martin Brodeur and Roberto Luongo manning the nets for their respective teams tonight, both of which are the top two most viable candidates to become the starting goaltender for Team Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver this year. Coming from a Devils fan, I believe Luongo has rightfully claimed the title as the best goaltender in the game right now and think it would be in Team Canada’s best interest to give Luongo the nod. Not only is Luongo younger and more agile than Brodeur, but Marty has provided evidence he’s incapable of doing it all like he used to and should salvage as many opportunities to rest in anticipation for the playoffs. Brodeur’s had his time, won his gold medal, and should be willing and able to pass the torch down to a capable Roberto Luongo, who shouldn’t have anything more to prove. The only thing that may guarantee Marty winning the position is who he is and as long as he’s around, he’ll get what he wants.
Anyways, back to the game. Aside from expecting an elite display of goaltending on both ends of the ice, we may be in for an offensive showdown too. Although the Canucks are struggling in the standings, offensive production has not been a problem for the club, having scored eighty goals so far and have averaged over three goals per in their last ten games. In their last match up against the Islanders, the Devils had a season high output of six goals and have averaged identical offensive numbers to Vancouver’s in their past ten games as well. While the Canucks have been more consistent and balanced with their scoring throughout the season, it appears to have taken a little more time for the Devils to get their act together. Tonight will be a good indicator if the Devils are able to continue and stay consistent with their recent offensive patterns.
On a positive note, the fallen are rising! Tonight, center Rob Niedermayer, who’s been absent from the Devils lineup the past few weeks after suffering an upper body injury will play tonight, while left wing Jay Pandolfo, who has been out with a dislocated right shoulder and defenseman Johnny Oduya (lower body) have been practicing with the team but aren’t quite ready to return. There were concerns that right wing Jamie Langenbrunner, who has been playing through what he calls upper body injuries, would be unable to play tonight after he quickly stepped off the ice during practice, who is alright and will play in tonight’s game. In addition, the Devils currently have three regulars on the IR: Paul Martin (Arm), Danius Zubrus (Leg), and David Clarkson (Ankle) that will be out for an extended and undetermined period of time. Assuming the injury bug has moved on from the Devil’s locker room, expect to see a fully healthy squad around the middle of January.
Center Tim Sestito returned to Lowell today when Niedermayer was cleared to play. Sestito played nine games for the Devils, where he had one assist and was a minus-2 with two penalty minutes. Rod Pelley will be a healthy scratch tonight and will likely be one of two as that leaves the Devils with thirteen forwards (the second scratch will most likely be between Andrew Peters, Ilkka Pikkarainen, and Vladimir Zharkov).
Can Someone Stick Up To Brodeur?
So seven games into the season, the New Jersey Devils are 4-3 and captured their first home win and shutout of the season by defeating the Carolina Hurricanes 2-0. So far, scoring and converting on the special teams in particular seem to be persisting problems, which I’m sure will straighten themselves out in the near future. If this is any indication of what we’ve already seen, it seems the Devils are off to their typical slow start because they seem to take longer to shake off the rust, develop or reestablish chemistry, or whatever it is that holds them back from bringing their A game in the first twenty games of the season unlike other teams featured in the group of usual post season contenders we’ve seen in the past few years.
So seven games in and guess which goaltender’s been credited with every outcome? You guessed it! The infamous Martin Brodeur, despite two instances of Jacques Lemaire saying Yann Danis “might” start in one of the games, on the Devil’s three game road trip and the past two home games against the Atlanta Thrashers and Carolina Hurricanes. Since Brodeur won home, away, and got his first shutout, you’d think Marty’s covered the early seasonal milestones and can start resting every now and then so he can stay fresh, right? I’ve come to the belief whenever any Devils coach says the other goalie “might” start, it basically means he won’t but he’s just reminding you he’s there. I know I’m reiterating a concern that at least the fans seem to have for years that never changes no matter what the team looks like or what the coaches, Lou, or Marty say. Why Marty continually starts night after night only to burn out at the end of the season and break down in the playoffs, despite him normally amounting some impressive regular season stats, while he’s always had a perfectly legitimate backup always down to give Marty a much deserved night off has been beyond me for a long time.
We’ve speculated the potential reasons: Marty’s ego, Lou’s ego and influence, the coach lacking the nerve to sit the all great Martin Brodeur, even just for one game, a low quality backup, and team. This’ll be the third consecutive season I can say in confidence the Devils have a proven backup capable of maintaining 15-25 games this season without affecting any winning or productive habits the team develops. Scott Clemmensen knew he’d never get the opportunity he’s seeking with the Devils and even if he was re-signed, I guarantee he’d only start no more than a handful of games this year. Although he’s an avid Rangers fan, Joe Biddingo theorized since Lou and Marty have arguably two of the biggest egos in hockey that coincide with each other, one of the reasons you seldom see any significant improvements on the team is because Lou still believes Marty can do it all and wants he and Marty recognized as the heroes for any success the team endures. Maybe the reasons behind the inactivity of this past summer were excuses Lou made to sustain that trend. Maybe nobody wants to play for the Devils because of those reasons…
Turning 38 this April, does Brodeur really think he can continue being the backbone of a team currently of slight above average talent, trying to poise for a deep playoff run, while he plays 75+ games and is looking to start regularly for Team Canada this winter? With the outcomes of the past four seasons set in stone, you have to wonder if Marty’s just trying too hard to prove himself or if he’s putting his personal achievements and records before the team. While it’ll definitely benefit the Devils if Brodeur cuts his workload, it’s probably a taboo in Marty’s eyes because it’s less playing time for him, where he looks less of the hero and franchise icon. Like I said in my season preview, as long as Lou is in the organization, Brodeur is free to do what he wants, when he wants, as long as he wants.
He might not be phased easily, but I think Marty needs to be reminded he isn’t the team and if he wants to benefit and strengthen everyone’s chances at winning a fourth Stanley Cup, he needs to make what he’d probably consider personal sacrifices. It’s all a matter of whose bold enough to tell Brodeur to his face, not Lou, not Lemaire, but to Marty himself, and it can’t be one brave soul. I’m trying hard not to make Marty look like the bad guy and while my criticism of Brodeur is high, I’m not against him. As a Devils fan, I feel privileged to have been able to witness a goaltender of Brodeur’s caliber to play for my team and watch him help guide them to the success they’ve amounted to over the years. Brodeur practically saved this organization and helped establish the reputation they have as a competitive team you can never count out of playoff contention. Brodeur theoretically did to the Devils what players like Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin are doing to their respective teams, which is something we the fans should always show our gratitude for. In the twilight of his career, it concerns me that Marty’s delusions make him think he still possesses the skill and energy to do it all and anyone that thinks otherwise is wrong, only for him to be disappointed and make excuses in the end.
On a few other notes, congratulations to Tim Sestito for netting four goals in the Lowell Devil’s 7-5 win over the Worcester Sharks Saturday night. Sesisto’s a 25-year old center the Devils acquired from Edmonton in a trade over the summer and currently has six goals and seven points in seven games for Lowell this season.
Last night, the Devils were reminded of a small concern they’ve expressed regarding the too many men penalties they’ve had since the season started. Honestly, I see no reason why or how any team could get called and it doesn’t concern me, but scares me if a team’s taking a type of penalty that can be averted with a little common sense and knowing when to get on and off the ice on a nightly basis.
There’s been some rising concern regarding Johnny Oduya’s slow start. He’s yet to register a point this season and has gone minus seven. Personally, I see no reason to be concerned yet because it’s still early and Oduya, along with a few other players who are under performing on this team have plenty of time to get it together. If Oduya continues to slack going into December, that’s when the eyebrows should raise, heads turn, and questions start.
