Brodeur back in tonight … Time to fire MacLean? Staal has setback? Bruins make 2 minor trades

Mark Easson

14 years ago

John Buccigross via twitter: Martin Brodeur is expected to make his first start since November 18th for the NJ Devils tonight against the Senators.

Steve Politi of the Star-Ledger: It may not be fair due to the amount of injuries the Devils have had so far this season, “But the GM has to protect his franchise. Firing the coach might solve absolutely nothing, but if the team continues spiraling toward oblivion, and if losing becomes an expectation, Lamoriello will have no other choice.”

Chris Botta of FanHouse: The Devils won’t trade their younger players for older players in attempt to turn their season around,

“Lou has told everyone — agents, the other GMs, his own staff — that one thing he has no interest in is adding veterans on the back end of their primes,” an NHL executive tells FanHouse. “Believe me, plenty of people have poked around. There are still a few free agents who could help them the rest of this season. There’s a trade or two he can make. But, as you’d expect from Lou, he’s not going to go away from what he believes in.”

Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Jordan Staal’s mid-December return has been pushed back as he still recovers from surgery on his broken right hand. According to coach Dan Bylsma, “He’s been working out hard and skating hard, but he just started the process of putting motion and movement into rehab with his hand.”

Will DePaoli of Inside Pittsburgh Sports: Jordan Staal’s x-rays this week showed another break in his surgically repaired hand.

James Murphy of ESPN Boston: Marco Sturm said there were a couple teams interested in his services before the LA Kings deal fell through. Nobody with the Bruins has said anything about being sent to the AHL.

Ken Sugiura of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Ondrej Pavelec will make his 11th consecutive start for the Thrashers tonight versus the Avalanche. Chris Mason will get the start for the Thrashers on Saturday versus the Islanders.

Boston Herald: The Boston Bruins made a couple minor league deals yesterday. The Bruins traded Levi Nelson to the Lightning for Juraj Simek. They also sent Jeff LoVecchio and Jordan Knackstedt to the Panthers for Sean Zimmerman and a 7th round pick.