It's Official: Martin Brodeur WILL START tomorrow (2.26.09) vs. Colorado, Clemmensen Demoted to AHL

Photo by C.P. Storm

He's back. Finally. After taking part in wednesday's practice, NJ Devil's Goaltender Martin Brodeur said it succinctly: "I'll be in tomorrow."  Back on November 1st, Brodeur went down with a torn distal biceps and had targeted the Avs game as soon as his surgery was completed.

While Brodeur was being informed of the team's decision to re-instate him, Goalie Scott Clemmensen, who held down the fort in Brodeur's absence, was returned to the Devil's AHL affiliate in Lowell.  Not because of his play, however. 

It turns out Clemmy was recalled from the Minors on an emergency basis when Brodeur went down.  If the Devils had chosen to keep him on the roster when Brodeur was re-instated, Clemmensen would have had to pass through waivers. By returning him to the minors, the Devils can recall Clemmensen after the March 4 trade deadline and not have to pass him through recall waivers nor waive him to demote him.  

Of note however, is the league rule that states if a player is not on a team's roster by 3pm (EST) on March 4th, he will not be eligible for that team's playoff roster.

- (CORRECTION: My Bad - The NHL doesn't have static playoff rosters. Clemmensen WILL be eligible for postseason play if recalled after the deadline. My apologies.)  Obviously, this is a move to make another move.

Kevin Weekes would have had to pass through waivers to be sent to the AHL, so Clemmensen was the right choice to be demoted if the Devils want to get something for one of their spare 'keepers - which should happen on Monday or Tuesday of next week.  In the meantime, this makes the crease a little less crowded in practice.

Fantasy Wise, I dropped Clemmensen myself in my Roto league and will dump him in my H2H leagues momentarily and keep a close eye on him getting traded.  The team with the most need (Buffalo) is in the same Conference, so I highly doubt Devils G.M. Lou Lamariello will help the Sabres out in any way.  That said, either Clemmy or Weekes will get dealt before next wednesday.

In fact, with the Devils having the day off on March 4th, they could theoretically trade Weekes before the deadline and then recall Clemmensen from the Minors after the deadline expires at 3:01 PM.

Activate Brodeur today to start him tomorrow.  Give the veteran a game or two to get his legs under him, but expect at least 2 shutouts between now and the end of the regular season for Brodeur.  With the amount of rest he's had, if Brodeur comes back at even 85% of his normal abilities, he's gonna put up great numbers down the stretch.