Brodeur out for 4 months, Devils must find alternative.
Very, very bad news for the New Jersey Devils. In the 6-1 victory against the Atlanta Trashers, a few days ago, Brodeur injured himself while sliding on the ice. He has a torn ligament in the left elbow. He’s going under surgery later this week. It’s a huge blow to the Devils. Brodeur is really the masterpiece of this team. Kevin Weekes is a fine goaltender, but can he carry the team on his shoulders until Brodeur return for the playoffs?
One name. Nikolai Khabibulin. Can he solve New Jersey’s problem while helping the Blackhawks? With the recent performances of the Bulinwall, he will drag more than an obscur minor-leaguer for Chicago. They can now expect a nice return.
We can expect the Devils to place Brodeur on LTIR, which will allow them to go above the cap by 5.250 millions (Marty’s salary). If they send someone the other way, they can very well afford him and then their problems in net will likely be solved.
Here’s what I propose.
To New Jersey : Nikolai Khabibulin
To Chicago : Dainius Zubrus
Chicago finally gets the 2nd line center they were lacking since the Lang trade. With Zubrus, they can move Sharp back to the left wing, either with Zubrus or with Toews and Kane like last year. They shed Khabibulin’s salary, which was a heavy burden, and they get a bit of space to make a deadline deal if they’re sitting on a playoff spot (or close to it) come February. New Jersey gets the goalie to carry them into the playoffs. Bulin is obviously not Brodeur, but he has proven he’s a winner and seems to have a bouceback year so far. A Khabibulin-Weekes duo could suprise many.
Sounds good?