Martin Brodeur is 35 years old. He is a 13-year veteran goalie. In the NHL, this is unheard of, less for Hasek, Roy, and a few others. This season, critics did not expect Marty to perform like a warrior, like a three-time Stanley Cup Trophy winner. But, that's exactly how Brodeur has turned out thus far. He has dispelled any rumors of wear and tear that affect professional athletes by rendering highlight-reel performances. Is Marty’s clock ticking? Maybe, but he’s not lost a beat.

Brodeur typically and historically starts slow, October being his worst full month statistically throughout his career. This season, the Devils were on a crazy road trip, and Brodeur suffered at 3-6-0. Naturally, Brodeur naturally picked up the pace. After allowing four games of three goals or more in the month of October, Marty has allowed eight such games over the next three months.

He has rebounded in a hurry. His numbers (26-16-2, 2.16GAA, .919SV%, 4 Shutouts) are outstanding. His uncanny ability has quickly altered the minds of any doubters from here to Wisconsin, from Scott Burnside to Barry Melrose. The same Melrose who hated on the Prudential Center earlier this season, but has since retracted his comments and even toured the state of the art arena.

Meanwhile, Brodeur has not been affected by the Devils inability to score. New Jersey has scored 121 goals, one more than its archrival New York Rangers, with two games in hand. What has Marty done despite the team’s second-fewest goal production in the league? Crisp, impeccable goaltending.

Is Brodeur exhausted? Yeah, sure, but he’s a fighter. He’s also signed for the next four seasons, at which point, he will retire. I have heard rumors that Marty may attempt to play for his hometown Canadiens, but I have not yet seen that statement in print. Then again, the Devils receive as much media coverage as a high school basketball team. So, blogs like Eklund’s Hockeybuzz receive more attention than warranted for their outrageous trade rumors and thoughts. The new ice hockey league.

But, Marty is old school. He’s been with this Devils organization since the 1990 draft entry, in which GM Lou Lamoriello selected him 20th overall. Only one goaltender, Trevor Kidd, was even picked before Brodeur. Of the other eighteen selections, most have since retired. Only Jaromir Jagr still roams the land, playing for the cross-river rivals (a few defensemen are still bluelining their respective teams as well).

Martin Brodeur is the NHL’s version of NBA star Tim Duncan. The lone differences between the two being injuries to Duncan and lack thereof for Brodeur. Otherwise, the similarities are endless. Both professionals have been at the top of their games since their respective draft choices, six years apart (Duncan, 1996 draft). Both players have won at least three Championships and have earned numerous individual awards, both in the regular season and in the playoffs.

This season, Brodeur has not slowed down, not in the least bit. On Nov. 17, he earned his 500th career win. After New Jersey’s 49 games, Brodeur has 520 wins, within striking distance of Patrick Roy’s all-time record (551).

Is Marty ready to retire? Absolutely not.
Unlike Barry Sanders, who took a beating and called it quits at 30, Marty is a goaltender, not a skater or running back for that matter. At age 31, Brodeur won his third Cup. Sanders finished his career as the game’s greatest RB, but without a trip to Disney Land. Brodeur has three rings, including his first in a four-game sweep of the powerful Detroit Red Wings.

Nobody (except Devils fans) saw that coming.

Then again, critics currently believe that Vancouver Canucks’ Roberto Luongo is arguably the game’s premier goaltender today and worthy of the Vezina Trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League's goaltender who is "adjudged to be the best at this position as voted by the general managers of all NHL clubs”.

Luongo has not received much support offensively from his Canucks similar to the Devils. Yet, he has remained near the top of the league in many statistical categories.

Regardless of honors and awards, though Marty is the only goalie with six 40-win seasons, Brodeur is like an energizer battery. Rutgers football head coach Greg Schiano constantly reminds his players to keep on chopping during the regular season. This strategy led to some of the biggest wins in the Scarlet Knights history.

Despite being the third oldest active goaltender (Kolzig and Hasek), the immortal Martin Brodeur keeps on chopping.

Brodeur and Luongo were voted by the fans to start this past All Star Game. Both players cited personal reasons for bypassing yesterday’s event. Luongo’s wife is pregnant and Brodeur had to attend to a friend’s family matters. This would have been Marty’s 4th start and 10th appearance overall.

Necessary R & R and these family matters came first for the future Hall of Famer.

We Devils fans hope that with the five days off, Martin Brodeur will revert to his old form tomorrow night versus Pittsburgh and the remainder of his career.

As SI.com’s Allan Muir said, “With Brodeur in net and
Sutter behind the bench, the Devils have a legitimate shot to top the East.”

Even after 13 marvelous seasons, even at age 35, Brodeur is still the most intimidating figure on the ice.

His internal clock ticks, people wonder how much gas remains in his tank.

Enough to backstop the Devils to their fourth Stanley Cup. That's how much.

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