Marty Brodeur was named the NHL's weeks 1st star.Since his return, Marty Brodeur has posted two shutouts in three games including a dominant 3-0 victory over the Flyers on Sunday.
If there were any doubters, they are seemingly all convinced that Brodeur is 100% and that he is the greatest goalie of all time. Sunday's shutout was the 100th of Brodeur's career, which now puts him three away from tying Terry Sawchuk (103). Brodeur is also inching closer to the all-time win record held by Patrick Roy (551). If all goes as planned, Brodeur could tie or break the record at Montreal on Saturday, March 14th or the St. Patrick's Day game on Tuesday, March 17th against the Chicago Blackhawks.
On Sunday, Jamie Langenbrunner netted the 200th goal of his career and is on pace to break his career best of 23 goals in a season. Also in Sunday's game, Brian Gionta got his 300th career point with his second period goal.
In the three games since Brodeur's return, the Devils have outscored their opponents 14 to 2, outshooting their opponents 120-68 and have not allowed a power-play against in eight opportunities.
On Monday, the Devils acquired defenseman Nicholas Havelid from Atlanta Anssi Salmella. Havelid, 35, has played nine years in the NHL with Atlanta and the Anaheim Ducks. In 63 games this season he has 2 goals and 13 assists and is only one of five Thrasher regulars to have a plus rating (+4). In his career, Havelid has only had a negative plus/minus rating twice in an entire season.
Havelid gives the Devils another solid veteran puck moving defenesman. The trade opens up options for Lamoriello to either put Andy Greene as the seventh defenseman or trade a defenseman for the forward they have been looking to add. Havelid's salary is for 2.9M and is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
Many people were hoping for the Devils to land a big name defenseman, but lately Neidermeyer came off the trade block and Pronger, Jovanovski and Kaberle came with too high of a price tag and salaries to add to a team with such great chemistry.
So where do the Devils go from here? The trade deadline is Wednesday at 3pm and the Devils may not be done. The Devils are still looking to add a center or veteran winger, but with the addition of Havelid, in order to do so they will need to give up a player. Players still on the trade block are Pandolfo, Madden, Gionta, Clarkson and Zubrus all could be moved.
Havelid will not join the team in Toronto, which also puts speculation that he may be one of the players traded to add another player. One rumor floating around is that Florida would move Bouwmeester for a veteran defenseman and a forward that could help them this season in their playoff run. Some options could be Salvador or Havelid and Madden or Pandolfo for Bouwmeester. Long shot trade and only a rumor at this point.
We will find out shortly.
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