12/21/24
January 27, 2015
Martin Brodeur to Announce Retirement.: One of the all-time greats, Brodeur finishes his 22-year NHL career with a 691-397-176 record, a 2.24 goals-against average and .912 save percentage in 1,266 appearances, all but seven coming with the New Jersey Devils. He holds regular-season NHL goaltending records for wins (621), shutouts (125), games played and minutes played (74,438), and in the history of the Stanley Cup Playoffs he ranks first in starts (204) and shutouts (24) and second in wins (113).
Still say he should've retired 25 wins ago. Then he would still have been a Devil, and his win total would've been 666...
posted by MeatSaber at 07:45 PM on January 27, 2015
As a longtime Devils and Brodeur fan, I too would have liked to see him retire in New Jersey. It's a bit unseemly for him to be retiring as an active member of the Blues organization. Of course, this isn't the first time Brodeur made an indecorous decision, so those of us who follow him and his career are less than surprised.
I'm also of the opinion that if a ballplayer wants to play ball, and can get paid to play ball, he shouldn't be denigrated for doing so (cf. Rickey Henderson, minor leaguer). Why not keep doing what you love? Brodeur brought a Hall of Fame career and three Stanley Cups to New Jersey, of all places. All we can say is thanks.
posted by werty at 10:56 PM on January 27, 2015
1. Brodeur 2. Roy 3. Plante 4. Hasek 5. Sawchuck
I think Ken Dryden has to be in there somewhere. But instead of who, I don't know.
posted by jagsnumberone at 11:22 PM on January 27, 2015
I think the spot for #1 in terms of overall career is between Roy and Brodeur.
I think the spot for #1 in terms of raw skill is between Hasek and Sawchuck.
I think the spot for #1 in terms of bravery is between Plante, Sawchuk, and Hall.
I think the spot for #1 in terms of class is between Plante and Dryden.
To pick between Roy and Brodeur, you have to decide if Roy's performance for the Canadiens/Avalanche is more impressive because they weren't known as "defense first" teams, or if Brodeur's performance for the Devils is the reason they seemed to be "defense first".
It's a shame that Brodeur's career ends the same way as other NHL HOFers like Salming and Modano, clinging to one more season of play wearing an unfamiliar jersey.
posted by grum@work at 12:04 AM on January 28, 2015
It's a shame that Brodeur's career ends the same way as other NHL HOFers like Salming and Modano, clinging to one more season of play wearing an unfamiliar jersey.
Bobby Orr in a 'Hawks uniform would like to have a word with you. Joe Namath in a Rams uniform wants to kiss you.
posted by NoMich at 08:46 AM on January 28, 2015
Orr played two seasons as a 'Hawk.
posted by grum@work at 10:11 AM on January 28, 2015
Well, it's still weird to me and none of your fancy pants ivy league facts and stats won't change that.
posted by NoMich at 10:17 AM on January 28, 2015
Well, it's still weird to me and none of your fancy pants ivy league facts and stats won't change that.
He was in my comparison list (because I like doing things in threes like that) and I pulled him when I realized that fact.
(Leetch also would have been in there, but he played 1/3 of a season in Toronto before playing his last season in Boston. I completely forgot about his time in Toronto.)
posted by grum@work at 10:56 AM on January 28, 2015
Leetch also would have been in there
He never looked right in anything but an Avon Old Farms jersey to me.
posted by yerfatma at 11:13 AM on January 28, 2015
It's a shame that Brodeur's career ends the same way as other NHL HOFers like Salming and Modano, clinging to one more season of play wearing an unfamiliar jersey.
Yep. And it seems like he did it just to prove to Lou that he had something left in the tank. It's almost like if Schneider hadn't come into the picture, he may have just bowed out gracefully after that last run to the finals.
posted by tahoemoj at 12:36 PM on January 28, 2015
3 words: He will be missed!
posted by Howard_T at 05:03 PM on January 28, 2015
Obviously, the HOF is a formality. So, in Brodeur's case, it's a matter of were he ranks among the all-time great goaltenders. I'm a biased Devils fan, so I see it as:
1. Brodeur 2. Roy 3. Plante 4. Hasek 5. Sawchuck
Dissent is not only tolerated, but encouraged.