U2Fan101 said:
Fleury will never be a Brodeur
Marty is on pace to break the shutout record.
Also of note... his record of extra-marital affairs!
I foresee an ugly season for Brodeur. With a few of the Devils' notable defensemen on the budget chopping block, the introduction of rules to limit goaltender mobility, and the scaling down of equipment, this year will be quite a departure from the Brodeur status quo.
If the shutout record is to be broken, it will be primarily a product of New Jersey's system. Of course, that's a simple statement to make seeing as team commitment and support is the foundation for all of the great goaltenders, but in Brodeur's case it seems he has been afforded a disproportionate amount in comparison to his peers. I guess I will always reserve doubts about Martin's accolades because of my own personal bias and the fact that his defensemen have been voted by both fans and critics as First Team All-Stars nearly every year. Although, some might argue that Niedermayer, Stevens, Rafalski, and others would not receive credit without the stellar backstopping of everyone's favourite adulterer/goaltender. It's a cyclical argument.
The one praise I will place upon Brodeur is that he plays the patience and stamina game better than anyone. It is a difficult style of netminding to face very few scoring chances and to maintain focus for a regulation game (nevermind additional periods). In that regard, a 40 save night for Roberto Luongo may be as difficult as a 9 save night for Martin Brodeur (I'm looking at you Maple Leafs of '99).
Fleury has the potential to be better. I am happy to see that he is with a team not known for its defensive prowess... allowing Marc-Andre to develop his skills under constant barrage.
