BRODEUR CLOSING IN ON RETURN TO DEVILS' LINEUP

BRODEUR CLOSING IN ON RETURN TO DEVILS' LINEUP
TSN.CA STAFF
2/23/2009 4:48:06 PM

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=268375&lid=sublink05&lpos=headlines_nhl

Martin Brodeur is inching closer to his return to the New Jersey Devils lineup.

The four-time Vezina trophy winner had a strong practice with the team on Monday and was hoping to make a return to the Devils' net as early as Thursday's game against the Colorado Avalanche.

"I told them I am feeling ready," Brodeur told reporters Monday following Devils practice. "It's up to them to see and look at me and feel comfortable. That's what it is, they have to feel comfortable having me there."

The team is taking the more cautious approach with a start on the weekend more likely in either Saturday's matinee against the Florida Panthers or Sunday's afternoon encounter with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Devils' head coach Brent Sutter admitted that his All-Star netminder looked strong but would not pin down a specific return date, saying only that Brodeur should be back between the pipes within a week.

"It's a situation, and I've said it before, it's not training camp," Sutter told reporters. "These last 20 games of the season, you are playing teams at a high level and you need your goaltending to be sharp and good."

Complicating matters is a flu bug that forced the future Hall of Famer out of workouts this past weekend.

"Right now, four months is four months," Brodeur told THE CANADIAN PRESS. "I don't think one day will be a big deal. I'm really excited about coming back. If it is not Thursday, it will be soon enough. But I am working right now to get back in the nets as quick as possible."

The Devils likely do not feel a huge sense of urgency to rush Brodeur back as Scott Clemmensen and Kevin Weekes have done a commendable job in Brodeur's absence. The pair have racked up 32 wins with the Olympic gold medalist on the sidelines and have helped move the Devils to the top of the Atlantic division standings.

Brodeur originally suffered an elbow injury during a Devils victory over the Atlanta Thrashers on November 1st. Days later it was revealed that he had a tear in the distal bicep in his left elbow and surgery would be necessary, causing the three-time Stanley Cup champion to miss nearly four months.

Although the Devils are cruising along, Brodeur's teammates anticipate that his return will do nothing but benefit the team as they push towards the playoffs.

"Any time you get the best goalie to ever play back in the lineup, it's a good thing," forward Brian Rolston told THE CANADIAN PRESS. "Clemmer and Weeksie have done a great job all year but to have Marty back gives you a goalie that has won big games for sure, and that has won Stanley Cups and everything else, and has all the records."

This will be nice for people who have him in their hockey pool.... Even though I don't know why you wouldn't have gotten rid of him already through a trade.... But it will be a nice addition to playoff hockey pools if he can remain healthy.

He is gonna be rusty big time when he gets back. You can't sit out for 4 months and come in a steal the show. I guess brodeur still has time to pass roy on the all time win list.

No way Brodeur should just get his #1 back right off the bat... Scott Clemmenson has played REALLY well this year.... Brodeur should be brought back in slowly n if clemmy beings to struggle then bring Brodeur in. No doubt that if hes 100% and back in form Brodeur will be the started by playoffs