Bobby Orr with the Chicago Blackhawks. Mike Modano with the Detroit Red Wings. And now, Martin Brodeur with the St. Louis Blues.
Sometimes players synonymous with one team finish with another, and on Tuesday the Blues officially signed Brodeur to a one-year contract – announcing it with a teaser trailer that featured his jersey nameplate being stitched to a white road jersey.
That’s where Brodeur, 42, is expected to debut for the Blues, with their next three games on the road. It’s possible Brodeur will play either in Chicago on Wednesday or in Nashville on Thursday.
The Blues brought in Brodeur -- whose contract is for $700,000 plus bonuses -- after Brian Elliott went on the IR with a lower body injury that makes him “week to week.” Rookie Jake Allen didn’t have an experienced netminder behind him, so GM Doug Armstrong brought in the most experienced goalie available.
Brodeur’s the all-time leader in wins (688) and shutouts (124) in the NHL, with a 688-394-176 record over his 21 seasons in New Jersey. His first game with the Devils came during the 1991-92 season, when he was just 19 years old.
Brodeur admits that the new colors will be an adjustment.
“It’s going to feel great, it’s going to definitely be different,” Brodeur told the Blues website. “Not just for me, but for the fans. I’ve turned the page, and this is a new beginning that hopefully will come off with something great.”
The numbers tell us Brodeur is done as an effective goalie, after his last season with the Devils. He’s 42 years old and had back-to-back seasons of .901 save percentages.
But in the Blues’ system, with the Blues’ defense in front of him … isn’t there a part of you that thinks this could be a genius signing?
That the same desire that fueled Brodeur’s last moments of greatness in 2012 could push him to create a few more for a Cup contender? That he’ll do everything he can to get those 12 wins en route to No. 700?
One thing’s clear: Based on the hype around his signing, life just got a little more interesting for Elliott and Allen. Well, mostly for Elliott.
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