Many have asked whether or not I think Martin Brodeur will return next season, or if he will retire. I've told all that I've answered that unless he has an absolutely terrible season, I think he'll be back. Based on his recent interview with CBC, I pointed out key points below, it sounds like he will indeed return. Here are some thoughts on that, as well as other Devils related topics.
- With the Devils come from behind victory over the Winnipeg Jets, the Devils finished off their four game Western Canada road trip with a 3-1-0 record. The Devils will now head home for a six-game home stand. The Devils have set themselves up quite nicely to separate themselves from the rest of the pack in the 10-6 range.
- Last year at this point in the season the Devils were dead last in the NHL and only had 26 points. This year, they find themselves 6th in the Eastern Conference with 52 points. What a difference a year makes.
- Yesterday during the Devils/Jets game, on CBC, they showed an interview Elliott Friedman recently did with Martin Brodeur. Brodeur touched on a number of topics, but the most notable one was if he will return next year. While he never confirmed he will, he said that he'd need a little more time to think about it but is leaning towards coming back next year.
If that is the case, in all honesty, I think the Devils should let Johan Hedberg go. I love the guy and he's better than Brodeur right now in my opinion, I just think that they need to upgrade the tandem somehow so if they can exchange Hedberg for a better goaltender I would do it. With that said, if Lamoriello were to upgrade the defense and add a top-four defenseman or two I would be fine with Hedberg AND Brodeur returning for one more season.
- Many have asked me if I think the Devils should go after a goaltender like Jonathan Bernier. My answer: no. The Devils have a few solid goaltending prospects, they're just not ready for the NHL quite yet. If I'm Lou Lamoriello, I make a pitch for Josh Harding or Brian Elliott, assuming they test free agency, to be the stop-gap for a couple seasons.
- I was asked on twitter about how Scott Wedgewood is performing in the OHL this season, and the answer to that would be quite well. Wedgewood is 15-5-3 with a .910 save percentage and two shutouts. Those numbers (besides the record) may not seem that impressive, but they are. As many of you know, there is much more scoring in the OHL than in the NHL.
- The last note I have for you is an interesting statistic I found last night: The Devils lead the NHL in shootout wins (50) since it was created. Their record: 50-26. Not bad.
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