An Inconvenient Rumour - Martin Brodeur to the Habs?

[RGM81]

This all started here late last week: http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=729656

The idea was that Brodeur was interested in going to the Habs. Fine, great. Create some publicity for yourself at a time where nothing is really happening in the hockey world. Doesn't mean anything.

Until this morning.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=461325

Now there's a lot of smoke here.

They're taking a comment from Vinny Damphousse, who said that the club was interested in trading Peter Budaj to acquire the veteran free agent.

OK, sure. But what about Dustin Tokarski? Kid stole the show in the ECF after Price was taken out by Kreider. He'd have to be bumped down to Hamilton, and would not likely clear waivers.

I think it's all a media story, and a typical one. Legendary Quebecois goalie wants to come play for his childhood favourite team, the Habs.

But geez, I really don't see the need for it to happen.

[Mnum]

Not a good idea bringing Marty in. Montreal is strong in the net, not like my Leafs. Marty is done & I think he knows if he wants to play it will be in the KHL or on a team that is struggling (also at a huge pay cut). I am thinking he will most likely retire. If they waive Tokarski to send him to the Bull dogs Montreal will lose him for sure & bring Marty in to replace him that would be a huge step backward especially if Budaj is gone as well who the heck will start if Price goes down Marty? Who will back up.

[30ranfordfan]

Why does anyone think Tokarski will get claimed? Because he looked okay in a few playoff games? Correct me if I'm wrong.... but it wouldn't be the first time he'd have cleared waiver while in the Habs organization.


Was talking about this rumor with a friend this morning, and if there's some truth to it.... it makes me ask these questions:

1. How healthy is Price? Will he be ready to go?
2. Why is Budaj still on the team? It's pretty clear the Habs have zero faith in him to be anything more than a replacement guy for a night. They won't hand him the reigns for a long stretch (i.e. when there's an injury). Though I would suggest it's better for Tokarski to play in Hamilton than to watch in Montreal.
3. Maybe they like the idea of Brodeur getting to finish with his home town team? Someone feels like the "owe" him that shot for being an all time great? (a mistake, IMO, if this is the case).

[andrewconnors9]

Yeah would be a silly move IMO. When the rumor started about him with the Leafs i got a bit excited as Brodeur has always been my favorite goalie and be cool to snag a card or two of him pictured on the leafs, but yeah the Habs definitely do not need him!

[Rraincock]

Hmmm.... I wonder if the greater question here is if we will ever see Marty play again. I have my sneaking suspicion that after a week or two of riding the pine he will retire.

My hopes are they if he is to leave NJ... that he goes to a team that will use him for at least 40% of the games.

[pwskelly]

Sounds selfish but as a hockey fan, I hope that he retires as a Devil. Not a NJ fan but I consider myself a fan who loves the game of hockey. I love it when players, especially HOF caliber players, remain with the same team/organization for their entire career. I understand that sports is a business but there is just something magical about those guys, Yzerman and Sakic to name a couple, who remained with the same organization for their careers.

[Captain Habtastic]

I think it would be a mistake, Montreal is already a media circus, with Brodeur closing in on 700 wins, their would be too much pressure to get him in net for those victories, the man still thinks he's a number one, but the numbers don't back him up. While Budaj isn't perfect he knows where he stands within the club, I like having him on the bench, almost comes off like another coach.