Trade Marty speculation

[A.E]

As Devils fade, 'Trade Marty Brodeur' speculation intensifies​

In November, Larry Brooks of the New York Post made what was deemed a "wacky" suggestion about the New Jersey Devils: That they trade franchise goaltender Martin Brodeur as a way out of their death spiral this season.

This was made all the wackier by Brooks' suggestion that a 38-year-old goalie with one playoff semifinals appearance in the last four postseasons could leverage John Carlson or Mike Green from the Washington Capitals.

Since Brooks's column, the Devils have gone a stellar 1-7, remaining one U.S.S. Islanders Titanic away from the conference basement in what's become a lost season.

Dire times call for drastic suggestions, such as Bobby Holik's assertion that the Devils should trade Zach Parise to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Evgeni Malkin for the benefit of Ilya Kovalchuck.

But as the season continues to circle the drain, the absurdity of Brooks's suggestion doesn't seem as absurd any longer to some observers. Scott Burnside of ESPN wonders where the value is on the Devils' roster as far as moveable parts, and thinks Brodeur is its most tradable asset:

The game's greatest goaltender is back from an elbow/arm injury but has played poorly, a function perhaps of rust and the team in front of him. He has another season left at $5.2 million in both salary and cap hit. Hard to imagine he would play beyond the end of his current deal with the team in such dire straights. Would Brodeur waive his no-trade clause for another shot at a Cup? Who knows, but what would Brodeur's value be to a Cup-hungry Washington team that has two promising young goaltenders and a bevy of young prospects? Or to Tampa? What was once unthinkable, Brodeur in a jersey other than the Devils, now must become part of the discussion for a team at the bottom of the well.

Flipping Brodeur for prospects and to clear salary space for, say, Zach Parise next summer obviously makes sense in the context of where the League and the team are in 2010-11. Even if big-ticket goalies are can make a difference, they're the exception to the rule in an NHL that has Cup contenders like the Philadelphia Flyers, Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks doing goaltending on the cheap.

But for a Devils fan ... does logic have a home in that decision? Does trading Brodeur before he can retire as a Devils simply symbolize how plagued and misguided this once proud franchise has become? Or how the rebuilding process has begun despite having a $100 million left wing in the first year of a 15-year deal? Can a Devils fan stomach seeing Brodeur traded, or is this the Mets and Tom Seaver all over again?

There's plenty of time for that debate. Because the Brodeur speculation is just starting, and the Devils aren't getting any better.

-Yahoo! Sports

 

[playmaker7]

They won't do it. I can't see something like that ever happening. Brodeur is gonna retire as a Devil and I hope he rots in net for many seasons to come =)

 

[Phil The Thrill]

Even though trading Brodeur would be logical, Devils fans would hunt Lou Lamoriello down.

 

[A.E]

This team is old in net, Kovalchuk doesn't fit well at all, and they have no depth. Parting with Brodeur would be like the end of the world for Devs' fans but if they want to erase the memory of this horrible season...and move forward...understand that this needs to be considered.

 

[Gtown81]

Brodeur's career is done, he just needs to retire

 

[playmaker7]

This team is old in net, Kovalchuk doesn't fit well at all, and they have no depth. Parting with Brodeur would be like the end of the world for Devs' fans but if they want to erase the memory of this horrible season...and move forward...understand that this needs to be considered.

It makes me smile to hear you say that

Thank you Lou

 

[Phil The Thrill]

No one ever talks about how Volchenkov's contract hurts this team either

 

[playmaker7]

No one ever talks about how Volchenkov's contract hurts this team either

Because its no where near as heavy as the Kovalchuk one...

Volchenkov hasn't done a damn thing this year...but still, no where near as heavy

 

[Mooche]

Brodeur's career is done, he just needs to retire

This exactly.

No more Favre type shit, just call it quits Marty!