Analyzing the future of Devils goaltending

NHL.com posted an article today about the Devils' future between the pipes.  While many Rangers fans like to taunt Devils fans about how the Devils franchise will crumble to the ground once Martin Brodeur retires, and Flyers fans warn Devils fans about how important goaltending can be, I think I may be able to pinpoint what exactly the Devils have planned.  Below, I've broken apart NHL.com's article (http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=569199&navid=mod-rr-headlines) and interpreted it.

NEWARK, N.J. -- Like it or not, there will come a time when future Hall of Fame goalie Martin Brodeur decides to call it a career.

Interpretation - Strangely, Martin Brodeur is getting older, thus he is not related to Mark Recchi, Teemu Selanne or Nicklas Lidstrom.

It even could be at the conclusion of the 2011-12 season, when the NHL's all-time leader in regular-season wins, shutouts, games played and numerous other marks has played the final season of the six-year deal he signed prior to the start of the 2006-07 season. Whenever the inevitable does occur, who takes over between the pipes?

Interpretation - Martin Brodeur will eventually retire, barring he's not related to Brett Favre, in which case he'll retire annually for the rest of his life.  When he does retire, another goalie will have to take over.

Will the Devils consider someone from outside the organization? Or do they begin a new era from within?

Interpretation - Could Lou Lamoriello talk Tomas Vokoun into signing another bargain deal with the Devils next year, or would Gary Bettman reject that contract?

"Whoever it is, I hope it's (another) Martin Brodeur," Devils Director of Scouting David Conte said.

Interpretation - "Shh...don't tell anyone, but we're working on a Martin Brodeur clone right now.  If that fails, we'll sign another goalie and make him change his name to 'Martin Brodeur.'"

While that's highly unlikely, Conte has been pleased with the play of the goalies looking to make their mark at the team's rookie camp here this week at AmeriHealth Pavilion.

Interpretation - It's really hard to clone people, but that second option has some possibilities...

Perhaps one of the four goaltenders in attendance, including Jeff Frazee (second round, 2005), Scott Wedgewood (third round, 2010), Maxime Clermont (sixth round, 2010) or Keith Kinkaid (free agent, 2011), one day will fill that huge void along the goal line.

Interpretation - Barring the development of time machines, one of these goalies will eventually be a Devils goaltender.

"Goalies are funny … you never know when they're going to come forward," Devils General Manager Lou Lamoriello said.

Interpretation - "Goalies make me ever-so-slightly crack a smile, and sometimes they're even good, too.  Just as the Fly...okay, never mind."

"But we've been extremely pleased with Clermont and Wedgewood. They both had very good years with the teams they played for. I know (goalie coaches) Chris (Terreri) and Jacques (Caron) have been very impressed by them."

Interpretation - "If one of these guys turns out to be good, the league might think we embellished some sort of stupid rule.  But we'd never do that."

"Goalies take a lot longer (to develop) than players … I've come to realize that," Wedgewood told NHL.com.

Interpretation - "Goalies aren't really players."

Three rounds after targeting Wedgewood in 2010, the Devils added Clermont, marking the first draft since 1997 in which the franchise chose two goalies, when they selected Jean-Francois Damphousse in the first round and Scott Clemmensen in the eighth.

Interpretation - The Devils drafted two goalies in one draft.  Look at how well that worked last time they did that.

"I want to play in the NHL; that's why I'm here and that's why I wake up every day," Clermont told NHL.com.

Interpretation - "Growing up in Quebec, we are failures if we don't become NHL goalies, especially NHL goalies that collapse in big games."

Clermont, born in Brodeur's hometown of Montreal, went 30-10-5 with a 2.55 GAA and .896 save percentage in 2010-11.

Interpretation - Clermont was born in Montreal.  There may or may not have been another NHL goalie or two born there before.

"They have to continue to build, just as Marty did, just as Mike Dunham did, just as Corey Schwab did, Chris Terreri and Sean Burke. The beauty of hockey is you're only as good as yesterday, and every player that understands that is well ahead. If he's looking for the destination, he better worry more about the journey."

Interpretation - Over the years, we've developed Martin Brodeur and a ton of other guys that have played goal for the Devils.

The 24-year-old Frazee is the oldest of the four goalies at camp this week. In 33 games with Albany in 2010-11, he went 11-15-3 with a 2.90 GAA. Despite being a veteran of rookie camp, the Edina, Minn., native is grateful to still be in the mix of future prospects within the organization.

Interpretation - The Devils have an "old" goalie that's 24 years old.  That isn't supposed to make Dwayne Roloson feel old, is it?

"I go into every training camp expecting the best out of myself and I look forward to camp every year," Frazee said.

Interpretation - "I keep showing up to prospect camp, but they never promote me.  It's as if they have a decent goalie already."

"It was kind of overwhelming when the Devils signed me (April 18)," the native of Farmingville, N.Y., told NHL.com. "The Devils were my favorite team and I have always admired Martin Brodeur … I wore his number (30) at Union. It's unbelievable to be a part of an organization so close to me and one I grew up watching."

Interpretation - "I grew up near Islanders country, but don't tell anyone that, okay?!"

NHL Player's Free Agent Survey

Every year, the NHL surveys the summer’s free agents and asks the players who have either re-signed with their previous team or signed with a new team a series of questions to better understand why players chose the teams that they did.  I have obtained a copy of the survey and will share it with you.

 (Superstars Brad Richards only) Why did you sign with the team that you did?

a)      I wanted to win, and I feel that I have that chance in New York

b)      I wasn’t going to Los Angeles!

c)      Honestly, I was able to cash in big-time

d)      It was the right decision for me and my family

If you selected “A,” tell us why you really signed with the team that you did.

a)      I wasn’t going to Los Angeles!

b)      Honestly, I was able to cash in big-time

c)      It was the right decision for me and my family

(All players) What are you looking forward to most next season?

a)      Meeting my new teammates and coaches

b)      Finding the new hot spots in my new team’s city

c)      Getting May and June off perennially (Toronto, Florida, NY Islanders and Edmonton players only)

d)      Opening night!

Seriously, do you actually intend to play out the entire length of your contract?

a)      Of course, I would never participate in salary cap circumvention…whatever that means

b)      I signed with an Atlantic division team, so of course!

c)      Not really, in fact, I’m playing for a year and then leaving the NHL

What would be the biggest achievement for you with your new team?

a)      Winning a Stanley Cup, obviously

b)      Winning a major award (i.e. Hart, Rocket Richard, Art Ross, Norris, Vezina, etc.)

c)      Surviving the cold winters (Does not apply to players of teams south of Winnipeg, unless you’re Dany Heatley)

d)      Being the player’s representative at the team’s annual 1^st Overall Draft Pick party (Edmonton players only)

What is your top personal goal for yourself next season?

a)      Outscore Marian Gaborik

b)      Not get hit by flying waffles all season

c)      Not getting made fun of by the Green Men all season

d)      Not miss players’ meetings and become a healthy scratch that night

What’s your favorite part of your pre-game ritual?

a)      The locker room pep-talk

b)      Shooting pucks into the Canucks’ goal during warm-ups

c)      Facing the media (Anyone who actually selects this will be subject to suspension)

d)      Free food from the waiters in the press box!

How do you spend your off-days?

a)      Sleeping

b)      Making public appearances and community service work to improve my public image

c)      At the rink, working with the coaching staff

d)      Wondering who has the best public viewing parties for the NHL playoffs

Was the team you signed with your first choice?

a)      Yes

b)      No

c)      Aside from the Maple Leafs, Rangers, Red Wings, Capitals, Penguins, Sharks, pretty much

d)      No, but man, their General Manager had a very deep checkbook

Finally, where are you taking this survey?

a)      At a computer at my team’s arena

b)      On my Smart Phone while driving down the freeway

c)      From my home

d)      From my parents’ basement

Thank you for participating in our survey.  We are always trying to learn from our players to improve the experience for future players, so basically, you don’t benefit from this at all…but thanks anyway.

What is an illegal contract in the eyes of the NHL?

It’s hard to forget what took place last summer, especially if you’re a Devils fan.  We understand that the NHL hates our team, our general manager and us, the fans.  We have come to not only accept that, but also embrace it.  People always knocked the Devils for not signing a superstar.  Well, they signed one last summer, and the league blew us away.  Apparently, it violated the “spirit of the collective bargaining agreement.”  Fast forward to last week.  The Devils’ nemesis, the Rangers, did what they do best: sign a superstar and hope for the best.  This time, however, the NHL approved the contract and rejected a seemingly harmless contract from the Flyers, so I ask the question: What is an illegal contract in the eyes of the NHL?  Read on and you’ll see what I’ve come up with.

Legal – A contract that lasts long enough to span a dozen Devils head coaches.

Illegal – A contract that lasts longer than one Nashville Predators head coach.

Legal – Anything that any general manager not named Glen Sather would feel is overpaid.

Illegal – Anything that any general manager not named Lou Lamoriello would become sick over.

Legal – A contract that a typical superstar could realistically play through.

Illegal – A contract that Chris Chelios would look at and flinch.

Legal – Any contract faxed to the NHL during Gary Bettman’s nap.

Illegal – Anything sent to the NHL during those five minutes per day when Bettman isn’t asleep.

Legal – Any somewhat realistic contract that isn’t 30 years long.

Illegal – Anything signed in or near New Jersey, since practically everything is illegal in New Jersey.

Legal – Contracts for players who score goals for a team that didn’t score goals last year.

Illegal – Contracts for players who don’t score many goals for a team that did score many goals last year.

Legal – Anything when the league assumes the player will be injured for 14 ½ years of the contract.

Illegal – A contract for any player traded for Brett Lebda, because anything will be too much.

Legal – One year contracts that take the player to his 43^rd birthday.

Illegal – 17-year contracts that take the player to his 43^rd birthday.

Legal – Secretly talking with unrestricted free agents-to-be behind the league’s back.

Illegal – Attempting to send an offer sheet to a restricted free agent, as it would violate the “spirit of Steve Yzerman and Dean Lombardi’s plan.”

Legal – Signing a normal contract that draws absolutely no attention from U.S. media.

Illegal – Having a contract consume a full minute on ESPN SportsCenter.

Legal – Any controversial contract on a team that includes Gregory Campbell…before 2011.

Illegal – Any controversial contract on a team that includes Gregory Campbell…after 2011.

Legal – Any contract signed before 2010.

Illegal – Any contract that Gary Bettman randomly selects when he spins the wheel of contracts after 2010.

Top 10 Video Special - Moments from 2010-11

It's been a while, but I think it's time to do another Top-10 chronicle. The following are the Top 10 moments that I will remember ten years from now. This is the seventh part of the Top 10 Video series. Enjoy, and I promise that we will all remember #1.



10. Have another waffle, Toronto!

While losing to an NHL team that doesn't even exist anymore, a Leafs fan decided that it would be amusing to throw waffles onto the ice...during the game.  That also made every hockey blogger's life much easier.

9. You want Gerbe, you get double Gerbe.

Trailing 4-0 to the Islanders, Buffalo's Nathan Gerbe decided he'd cut the deficit in less time than it takes for Brian Rolston to take one shot.

8. No goaltender required

Steven Stamkos is an elite goal scorer, but one night in Pittsburgh, things didn't go his way, especially when he was awarded a penalty shot.

7. Crashing Pittsburgh's party.

The downfall of Sidney Crosby's season began at the Winter Classic, when David Steckel knocked him out, leaving Crosby shaken up.

6. It ain't over until Tim Thomas says it's over

In a season that resulted in a Vezina Trophy and Stanley Cup, Tim Thomas made several memorable saves, but perhaps none greater than this one in Toronto.

5. Finding top gear

Okay, so I'm a little bias, but here's one that Devils fans probably won't forget for a long time, as Ilya Kovalchuk continued to pile up game-winning goals.  This one would be the only one of the night for either team.

4. Welcome to the NHL, Jordan Eberle

The proverbial, or "ideal" first career NHL goal is often described as a perfect wrist shot that rings off the crossbar and into the net.  Well, Jordan Eberle might disagree with you.

3. Twice is a charm

The goal of the playoffs was undoubtedly Bobby Ryan's double-deke against the Predators.  Let's ignore the fact that he undressed a forward without a stick, let's pretend he undressed Suter and Weber.

2. Stanley Cup Champions

Can you believe the Bruins had the nerve to go into Vancouver and indirectly cause riots??!

1. Saving the best for last

Okay, this one's a bit of a joke, but I couldn't resist.  Brett Lebda scored a goal in Montreal this year, and the world shook.  Don't believe me?  Well, a) I was there, so I can tell you and b) here's video proof.

Guide for NHL General Managers for Free Agency 2011

It’s July 1^st.  In a few brief hours, NHL Free Agency 2011 will begin.  You probably know who the big prizes are, and you probably know who many of the teams are with open checkbooks today.  Let’s take a look at a Free Agency spending guide that each General Manager should look at before making a plunge today.

Brian Burke – Today is actually Burke’s second favorite day of the year, right behind trade deadline day.  It’s also the day that waffle sales tend to spike in much of eastern Canada.

Player to watch: Burke has obviously made some noise on the Brad Richards front, but he’s not American.  Watch for Burke to pursue Chris Drury and Andy Greene.

Glen Sather – Unlike Burke, today is Sather’s favorite day of the year.  Unfortunately for him, the league doesn’t believe his annual “I got too excited so I added an extra “0” to that guy’s contract” speech when he tries to cut players’ salaries.

Player to watch: Sather wants Brad Richards.  I’d be curious to see where Richards would fall amongst Rangers greats such as Wade Redden, Chris Drury and Marian Gaborik.

Darcy Regier – Darcy has had the green light with the team’s checkbook already the off-season.  Strangely, a book titled “How to Spend the Most Money on July 1st” was spotted on his desk.  It was written by Glen Sather.

Player to watch: So far, Regier has brought in a defenseman whose name sounds like his and a former Canuck.  Basically, it’s time to cash in big today.

Stan Bowman – Chicago has over $11 million of cap space, so they might quietly make a big move today, which will most likely end up in Pierre McGuire explaining why that player will get along with Brian Campbell.

Player to watch: The Hawks don’t have one primary target, but they could be involved with just about anyone. 

Peter Chiarelli – Despite having an unlisted number, Peter is a bit upset that Mike Milbury found his number, since Milbury has left him dozens of messages of signings he wants to make today.

Player to watch: Although Tomas Kaberle wants to test the market, he might want to stay in Boston to avoid being overpaid, something players absolutely hate.

Kevin Cheveldayoff – Look for Winnipeg to sign a big name today as the first big move made with the team in Winnipeg.  Look for that player to use his entire salary to find a jacket heavy enough for this winter.

Player to watch: Ed Jovanovski.  One way or another, he probably figured he was going to Winnipeg this summer.

Dale Tallon – Tallon might have the biggest budget today.  He needs to spend $22 million just to get to the cap floor today.  Dale Tallon might have the most desired job in hockey.  Well, at least for today.

Player to watch: Steven Stamkos and Brad Richards.  Once he signs those two, he can throw a party for every Panthers fan with the money remaining.

Lou Lamoriello – While it’s never easy to figure out what Lou’s up to, Gary Bettman already promised to approve every contract Lou sends him today…barring it doesn’t include an NHL player.

Player to watch: Any retired player, because he might be coaching the Devils next year.

Ray Shero – Shero has some big decisions to make today, including Max Talbot and Mike Rupp.  It’s a good thing studs like Craig Adams and Arron Asham are already re-signed.

Player to watch: Jaromir Jagr, because whenever he feels like it, he could deke by an opposing player better than Bobby Ryan.

Pierre Gauthier – The Habs could lose Roman Hamrlik and Andrei Markov, in addition to James Wisniewski, but they do still have Hal Gill.

Player to watch: Forget Jagr, it would be far more amusing to see Alex Kovalev back in Montreal, assuming he still remembers how to get there.

Ken Holland – All of a sudden, Ken Holland looks like the overspending general manager, but it’s okay because the Red Wings are invincible to bad contracts.

Player to watch: Any defenseman.  They’ll look to replace Brian Rafalski, a smaller, undrafted free agent out of New Jersey.  Hey, we have one of those this summer!

Paul Holmgren – I can’t imagine what Holmgren has left to do other than trading Claude Giroux, James van Riemsdyk and Scott Hartnell for draft picks.

Player to watch: Ville Leino and Simon Gagne.  Both need to be re-signed by the Flyers.

Garth Snow – Today is the first day that Alexei Yashin is just a distant memory.  The Islanders must celebrate by wasting their money on another player.

Player to watch: Tomas Vokoun.  He’s reportedly looking for a 15-year contract.  Perfect.

Mike Gillis – Vancouver lost Christian Ehrhoff got a 10-year deal with Buffalo, and Gillis also faces losing Sami Salo and Chris Higgins to free agency.

Player to watch: Tomas Kaberle.  If Gillis signed Kaberle and he turned out to be a bust, Canuck fans could say he had “Ballard-syndrome.”

Steve Yzerman – Sean Bergenheim and Simon Gagne highlight Yzerman’s priorities today during free agency, as the media has kindly reminded him that no other impact player needs a new contract.

Player to watch: Steven Stamkos.  You’d never know it, but Stamkos is a restricted free agent.

Dean Lombardi – The LA Kings will continue to try to sign a big name, high-scoring forward.  They will likely continue to fail once Sather signs Brad Richards.

Player to watch: Drew Doughty, as he could quietly be the player that slips away if Lombardi isn’t careful.