This question cannot be simply answered. Most non-Devil fans will say Patrick Roy is the game's best goaltender. Dominik Hasek, Terry Sawchuk, and Jacques Plante were all selected before Martin Brodeur by a panel of 41 writers, according to ESPN. Then again this poll was taken in 2004. Would the writers vote the same way now as they did nearly three years ago? I have no doubt that Roy deserves his recognition as the game's greatest goalie. He played in the most games, won the most games in the regular season and playoffs. He also won four stanley cups, and holds numerous prestigious NHL awards. See for yourself. If you are wondering, I did use wikipedia for my statistics. If you do not use wiki for factual information, feel free to look at NHL for the same thing. Before I defend Brodeur as the game's ultimate netminder, I must congratulate Roy on a remarkable career. He's definitely earned my vote for game's greatest goaltender. But, in a seventh game playoff in their primes, I would choose Brodeur over Roy. My reason does not lie within statistics. I am sure mathematically that Roy would probably defeat Brodeur as the game's most clutch goalie, etc. But, when Brodeur is finished with his career in five years, that is according to his contract on, NHLSCAP, I mean he might retire sooner or later- who knows? Back to the main point, if he finishes the career with more wins in the regular season, games played, etc then why should he remain the fourth or fifth greatest goaltender? Last season, he finally finished with most wins in a single season with 48 and what I consider one of his greatest achievements, most 40-win seasons with 6. No other goalie can claim that number from now until eternity. Look, Roy holds 6 career playoff records, indisputably, but if Brodeur begins to break them, should he become #1? There are writers and fans who will always hold Roy to a higher level than Brodeur. One of the main reasons is that Brodeur's team since 1994-1995, has played a defensive-minded style, neutral zone trap to limit scoring chances by an opponent. That definitely has limited the shots on goal for Brodeur. One time he only faced six shots on goal in a playoff game. But to win 40 games in a season, if no other goalie has even come close, Roy has one 40-win season, Hasek also one. Where is the consistency among goaltenders in the modern era? Understandably, before the 1980s you cannot expect goalies to win that many games in one season? But all those years that Hasek won the Vezina over Brodeur, was Hasek really better? Playing in New Jersey, in the Meadowland specifically, did not help Brodeur's chances of really being a superstar. He is definitely one of the most recognizable athletes in the NHL today. 3-time stanley cup winner- not too shabby. After he retires, I want to raise the question once and for all.... Is Brodeur better than Roy?

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