Martin Brodeur has only known hockey in a New Jersey Devils uniform. The goalie is of course a legend in his own right and one of the best players in the franchise's history, but could the 41-year-old actually be traded before the March 5 deadline? Brodeur's recent net struggles certainly do not work for New Jersey's short-term future and he is certainly aware that he might finish the year in a different uniform.
Brodeur is not requesting a trade, but simply admitting that if the Devils approached him about a move, he would not argue it. The goalie told Tom Gulitti of The Fire and Ice blog that if asked, he would be willing to waive his no-trade clause in order to help the Devils become a better team for the long-term future.
"I'm open to anything," Brodeur said. "I just want to play. So, like I said in Toronto, if there's a better situation for me, I'll take it. If it's here or somewhere else, it doesn't matter. It's within the team's rights to try and make themselves better. The fact is, I have the luxury to decide what I want to do. I hope if he [Lamoriello] is able to help the team, he'll ask, regardless of what it is. It's definitely something that is possible."
Brodeur's future with the Devils appeared in question ever since the team completed a trade to acquire Cory Schneider from the Vancouver Canucks. The goalie had seen starting time with the Canucks and looked ready to become a full-time starter with another team. So why would the Devils pick him up when Brodeur owns their net? The veteran gave up six goals in two periods of play on Sunday, making the reason for the trade pretty obvious.
Numbers wise, Schneider has been the better goalie for New Jersey. Brodeur has more starts this season, but the backup has started seven of the past 10 games and is simply playing better. The idea of a trade is certainly crazy, but Brodeur said nothing would shock him at this point.
"I don't know how I'd feel. I don't know where I'm at with that," Brodeur said. "I don't know what I'd think if it were to happen. I definitely would like to play more, so if there is a chance somewhere...But I'm not looking for that. I want to make sure this team gets on a playoff run. We'll see what happens, but stranger things have happened."
Brodeur's stats have been declining over the past three years, but he has been getting the legacy vote. While New Jersey might be interested in negotiating a deal with another, but it is worth wondering if there would be a trade market at all for him. His save percentage is below .900 and at 41, age is not in his favor. The veteran likely wants to go to a contending team in order to finish out his career on top, but the chances of someone making a move for him are slim.
