An historic era is ending. The winningest goalie in NHL history, the face of the Devils’ franchise, won’t be donning his mask so often.
Martin Brodeur, the workhorse foundation of the New Jersey dynasty since 1993, is expected to split goaltending duties with Johan Hedberg for now, with Hedberg to face the Minnesota Wild tonight in Newark.
Jacques Lemaire is coming back to Hedberg after Brodeur was yanked for the third time in six games in Saturday’s 6-3 loss in Raleigh. Hedberg was passed over for the start in that game, despite a solid triumph Friday over Atlanta.
“I don’t deserve to be in there when you don’t win. That’s the bottom line,” the four-time Vezina Trophy winner said. “I want to play a lot, like always. That will never change. It has to be fun to play hockey and not winning is not fun. So when we get back winning, I’ll play more.
“I’ve been winning all my career. Now it’s a little tougher, so it’s normal if somebody [else plays].”
Hedberg stands 5-7-1, Brodeur 5-18-1 this season. Brodeur has had his nights of greatness this season, but not as many as usual. Of his five victories, three have come by shutouts. He’s been yanked as many times as he’s won.
“It’s not the end of the world, you know,” Brodeur said. “You guys wanted me to play less all these years. I don’t know what’s the big deal here. We have Hedy, a great goalie to back me up. With me getting a little older and they’re using him, that should be all the answers you need.”
Hedberg took the loss Saturday in relief of Brodeur, who has lost six straight decisions, last winning Dec. 12.
Brodeur, who holds the NHL records of 607 victories and 113 shutouts, did not complain about watching tonight.
“I think it’s a good thing. A few more days of practice to get it back, somehow,” Brodeur said. “The puck [has] to hit me. That’s the bottom line. That’s what I’m trying to get back. The positioning, working through traffic, trying to get that puck to hit me.”
He’s confounded doubters for years, but losing his spot as Team Canada’s No. 1 in the Olympics seems to have been a turning point. He has another year left on his no-trade contract.
*
Brian Rolston, waived to the minors and then cleared back through re-entry waivers, is expected to return to the Jersey lineup. He skated with Jamie Langenbrunner and Travis Zajac yesterday . . . Mark Fraser is expected tonight to make his first appearance since Oct. 12, out 34 games with a three-pin surgically-repaired hand . . . Mark Fayne returned to Albany.
