Approaching July 1st, the first day of free agency in the National Hockey League, everybody knew there would be some exciting storylines. Stars Zach Parise and Ryan Suter may find a new home, Justin Schultz' highly anticipated decision as to where he'll start his NHL career, who will bite on Islanders' emerging playamaker P.A. Parenteau, just to name a few. But nobody could have anticipated the end of an era for one of the most legendary players in hockey history.A few months ago, the possibility of Martin Brodeur playing his final year(s) in the NHL for someone other than the New Jersey Devils would have sounded perposterous. But due to limited talks with Devils GM Lou Lamoriello and lingering ownership issues, it may become a bizarre reality soon. Yesterday, Brodeur hired one of the best agents in the game, Pat Brisson, and TSN's hockey insider Darren Dreger reported Marty's interest in exploring the free agent market. There is no guarantee that Marty will opt out of the Garden State, but the fact that he is even considering donning a sweater other than the red and black sent shock waves throughout the hockey world and the twitterverse. The fact of the matter is, though, despite Marty's legendary status, he isn't exactly a perfect fit with all 30 teams in the NHL. In fact, there are very few possible clubs who can make a respectable proposal to Brodeur and have the move make sense...
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING-Although Lightning GM Steve Yzerman made the move to acquire Nashville Predators back-up Anders Lindback, you could still consider Tampa's goaltending situation "unresolved". Make no mistake about it, Anders Lindback looks to be the guy for the future of the Bolts, but he is unproven as a starter and had one of his most inconsistent seasons in 2011-12 when he would get the call over Pekka Rinne. Tampa could opt to go after Marty, and then have him and Lindback split starts throughout the year. It would be one way to ease Lindback into a starting role and keep Marty's old, fragile body fresh. Also, even though Tampa Bay didn't qualify for the playoffs last season and their defensive corps is built to be stronger in a few more years than it is now, with players like Steven Stamkos, Vinny Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis and company, the Bolts are bound to be a difficult team to play against and knowing Marty's ego, he may feel like he can make this team a legitimate contender.
Drawbacks:
- The Lightning seem very committed to making Lindback their starter, and if Marty wants a two-year deal, Yzerman may not be interested in employing a split-start strategy for that long.
- Brodeur may not be too keen on the idea of "splitting starts" with an unproven youngster or backing anyone up.
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS-Let's face facts, the Chicago Blackhawks are a great team with abysmal netminding. Marty Brodeur could be a perfect fit in the Windy City, because even though he is past his prime, he took a team much less talented than the 'Hawks to the Stanley Cup Finals. Corey Crawford couldn't take his mother to prom, let alone take his team to any form of playoff success. Brodeur could be a quick and temporary fix for Chicago's goaltending woes, and both parties should realize he could be the missing link to Chicago capturing another championship. Also, if the Blackhawks are still somehow convinced Corey Crawford can be a legitimate starter in the NHL one day, he can give Crawford an extra year or two to develop and be mentored by a seasoned vetaran and goaltending legend.
Drawbacks:
- Although the Blackhawks currently have enough cap space to squeeze a 40 year-old under the cap, but with a new CBA looming and its contents unknown, the 'Hawks may be tenative to give Brodeur the max value to steal him away from other buyers.
- Chicago already awarded a contract extension to Ray Emery late last season, and the 'Hawks (although they shouldn't be) may be worried about losing him on waivers if they had to send him down to the minors.
FLORIDA PANTHERS-Roberto Luongo has controlled most rumors this offseason. It hasn't exactly been a monopoly, but one could argue he's gained more attention than Rick Nash, Jordan Staal, Zach Parise, Justin Schultz or Ryan Suter. During all of this time, a majority of the rumors surrounding him have involved the Florida Panthers. But Marty Brodeur might make more sense.
The Cats have a premiere goaltending prospect in Jacob Markstrom, but they would probably feel most comfortable with giving him one more year in the minors or in an emergency-basis back-up role to mature and improve further as a goalie before they throw him into the fire. Martin Brodeur can take over the starting role for Florida for the next season or two and allow Markstrom that time to develop. Brodeur would start between the pipes for the big club. Jose Theodore would be second string for the last year of his contract. If the Panthers were to get Luongo, his contract situation would permanently bury Markstrom in a back-up role or you risk Lou getting "Schnieder'd" again in Florida.
In Sunrise, Marty can play for a team that pushed the eventual Eastern Conference Champs to a Game 7. We know the transitive property doesn't necessarily apply in hockey, but for all intensive purposes, the Panthers are a contender. Panthers management won't be afraid to use that in their sales pitch.
Drawbacks:
- If Marty were to get hurt or play terribly early next season and he decided to retire, because of his age the current CBA would require the Panthers to pay him every cent of him contract. With cash always being at a premium with the Panthers organization, ownership may not feel comfortable taking that risk.
- Marty could easily say back to the Panthers, "The only reason you guys made it to a Game 7 is because I played one of the worst playoff series of my career," and then scratch them off of a list of legitimate contenders in a division with Washington, Tampa Bay and Carolina.
--RULE THEM OUT--
These are some teams that people have mentioned being in the hunt for Brodeur, but they don't have much credibility. July 1st has never been short of surprises, but these rumored destinations don't make much sense...
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Listen, Martin Brodeur wants to spend his last year or two in the NHL with a contender, not with a fringe playoff team and under the constant scrutiny of a tortured fanbase. Yes, Toronto's goaltending situation is not a pretty one, but Brodeur doesn't want to be there. Also, for those Leafs fans who think James Reimer would benefit from playing behind Brodeur, Marty is the last of a dying breed, a goalie who essentially goes against everything the goaltending coaches in Toronto relentlessly instruct their netminders. I'm not saying Brodeur is a bad role model for young goalies, but he may not be the guy Toronto wants setting an example for Reimer and Scrivens with the way their organization likes to develop their goalies. This move wouldn't make sense for Brodeur or the Leafs' development.
BOSTON BRUINS
Just because Tim Thomas is out in Beantown doesn't mean the B's will be willing to replace one aging goalie with another one. Tuukka Rask will be the guy in Boston this upcoming season. "But if you proposed Brodeur splitting starts with the starter in Tampa Bay, why can't Boston do the same thing with Rask," you ask? Because a few days ago, Boston signed Tuukka Rask to a one-year deal. The Bruins need to utilize this one year to evaluate Rask's play to see if he can still play at the level he did as a starter three seasons ago and if he's a goalie they will want to invest in long-term. Bringing in Marty Brodeur will dillute the amount of time Rask will get as a starter. Also, Boston has the least amount of cap wiggle room out of all NHL teams, even under the current CBA. The Bruins aren't going to be willing to deal a piece or two of their stable roster in order to make cap space for a 40-plus year-old goalie when they already have a capable starter in Rask.
