If Brodeur leaves New Jersey the Devils made him do it

Martin Brodeur was not supposed to be much of a story until next spring when the legendary New Jersey Devils goaltender reaches the end of his contract.

At that time, Brodeur, 41, should be either announcing his retirement or his intention to extend his career.

But news does not wait. First, Brodeur lost his starting job to Cory Schneider after the Devils (and the veteran goalie) got off to a tortoise-like start.

Then he told the Star-Ledger newspaper that he might consider waiving his no-trade clause sometime down the road if the Devils fall hopelessly behind and a play-off contender seeks his services. Ouch.

The picture of Brodeur wearing anything but that red and black, devils-tail “NJ” would be more jarring than to see Tiger Woods using Adam Scott’s belly putter.

Brodeur played his first game for New Jersey in 1991. He is the face of the franchise’s rise and their three Stanley Cup titles.

Brodeur said he hoped that New Jersey would rebound and t make another trip to the play-offs. But if not, a trade and a post-season run with another team “could be really fun for me and really good for the Devils”.

Said Brodeur, the NHL’s all-time leader in games won, “it wouldn’t be that big of a deal”.

Probably not. But there are still a few romantics who love the idea of a star performer playing his entire career with one team.

They will be rooting for a Devils rally.

sports@thenational.ae

If Brodeur leaves New Jersey the Devils made him do it

Martin Brodeur, 41, should be either announcing his retirement or his intention to extend his career. Instead, Brodeur lost his starting job to Cory Schneider and then he told the local newspaper he might consider waiving his no-trade clause if the Devils fall out as a play-off contender.