Martin Brodeur made Brent Sutter change his mind.
So, after missing 50 games, the Devils’ franchise goalie returns to the net tonight in Newark against the Avs (7, MSG+ 2, WFAN 660 AM).
Sutter said the quality of Brodeur’s practices produced the rethinking.
“And his relating to me that he’s good to go after these three practices,” the Devils coach said.
This game seemed like the natural date for Brodeur’s return from Nov. 6 surgery to re-attach his left biceps tendon to his forearm. However, Devils brass last week did not believe he’d be ready for action this soon, figuring instead to bring him back Saturday against Florida or Sunday against the Flyers. His workouts, starting Monday, revised those opinions.
“He looked fine,” Sutter said of this week’s evidence. “He looked good is the best way to put it.”
Brodeur, 6-2-2 in the first 10 games of the season, was given the word by Sutter after Scott Clemmensen, who went 25-13-1 with a .917 save percentage in Brodeur’s absence, was unceremoniously demoted to Lowell earlier yesterday morning. Clemmensen will almost surely be traded by Wednesday’s deadline.
“It’s like making a trade at this time of the season, and not having to give up anything,” Sutter said. “Our goaltending has done a great job, and yet, we know the type of goalie we’re getting back.”
Brodeur returns to a team that is 14-4 in its last 18 games, but is returning from a three-game road trip on which it was shut out twice.
“I feel real good, real happy that they feel I’m good enough to get in there,” said Brodeur, who is seven shy of Patrick Roy’s NHL record of 551 victories.
“Right now I want to concentrate on getting back to when I was feeling good, get back to my game,” Brodeur said. “If the record happens, great. Right now, it’s way, way back in my mind.
“Practices have felt normal. Game, I can’t tell you. I feel good, I feel like I haven’t lost much out there, moving around, feeling the puck and controlling my rebounds. The question is game action. I’m sure that will take a bit to get used to.”
Clemmensen said he was taken by surprise at being demoted, despite knowing the deal he signed made him vulnerable, since it does not require him to clear waivers. He said he and GM Lou Lamoriello discussed a trade, among other scenarios.
“I would hope to be back in the NHL as soon as possible, whether with the Devils or with another team,” Clemmensen said.
Brodeur looks to be in top shape, remarkable considering he spent nearly two months prohibited from exercising following the surgery.
“What I went through was not easy,” Brodeur said. “But you have to take the positive. I should be well-rested. What’s the outcome of me being that way? Who knows what it would be? I don’t think it will be that big a difference, but who knows?”
The major question is whether Brodeur can play himself into playoff shape in time for the postseason.
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Devils went 32-17-1 without Brodeur. … Jersey lost two of three on its road trip, winning a comeback by shootout in front of Kevin Weekes, while Clemmensen suffered two 4-0 shutout losses. …
Defenseman Paul Martin expects to return after sitting out four games, hoping the rest quelled his back ailment. … Brendan Shanahan had old-style ankle guards sewn to the bottom of his shin pads, after bruising his right foot twice from blocking shots.