He’s baaack!

February 25, 2009   ·   Hasan   ·   Jump to comments

After 50 games on IR, the Devils have finally announced something that seemed obvious weeks ago (to everyone except Mark Everson) given the schedule and timing - Martin Brodeur will be making his return to the net tomorrow night at the Rock against the Colorado Avalanche.

To make room for Brodeur, the Devils sent Scott Clemmensen down to Lowell, in what looks to be a temporary move.  It kinda seemed like a heartless thing to do until I heard Lou Lamoriello‘s explanation.  Turns out Mr. Clemmensen had been here for all these four months on emergency recall, which kept him from being exposed on waivers.  If Clemmensen was kept here when Marty came off of IR, he would have had to be exposed to waivers – but that won’t apply after the trade deadline next Wednesday if he gets recalled when rosters expand.  So either Clemmensen will be back up with the Devils next week or on someone else’s roster via trade. 

And who knows what this means for Kevin Weekes, although short-term I’d have to guess he will start Saturday afternoon against Florida and Brodeur will play tonight and Sunday afternoon against the Flyers.  It does seem obvious one of the two goalies will be moved, especially after a telling quote from Lamoriello:

“When you look at three goaltenders, you cannot give them enough ice time to do the things that are necessary to be ready to play. That would have been unfair to the coaches had that decision been made.”

Personally, as much as I like Weekes and he’s been a great team guy I hope he does get moved.  Especially since Clemmensen flat-out deserves to be here to reap the potential rewards of any playoff run.  Buffalo with Ryan Miller hurt would be a perfect spot for either goalie except for the inconvenience of a possible Sabres-Devils playoff matchup.  Maybe one of the goalies will be moved out West to a team – say Dallas, who could use a vet backup to Marty Turco?

One thing’s for sure, the roster problem has been solved for this week, and something will come to a head next week by the trading deadline.  And with an eight-point lead in the standings and two other goalies around, Brodeur can take his time rounding into form for the playoff drive.  Of course Lou proves once again that he knows every nook and cranny of the rules, I never heard of a guy being on emergency recall for four months.

Oh, and the Devils made one other roster move today – sending Anssi Salmela back to Lowell, which hopefully means the return to the lineup of top defenseman Paul Martin, without whom the defense struggled badly on the recent road trip.