Martin Brodeur
Martin Brodeur is arguably the best goalie in the world right now. He’s not having his best year, but he’s still one of the best in the NHL stats. On top of that, Brodeur is likely The Man you want in net in a big game. Hasek fans may want to argue that last point, but you get the point.
Earlier this week Brodeur signed a long-term deal with the New Jersey Devils worth 6 years at 5.2million per year. I believe there at least 3 other goalies making more this year including Turco, Theodore, and Khabibulin. Apparently there are several reasons for this signing: he likes NJ and feels loyal to the team, he didn’t use an agent, he gets paid a hefty amount at what will be near the end of his career, and he leaves open a bit more cap room for the Devils to sign other players. I gotta hand it to Brodeur, that is one classy move. Brodeur signed his deal for himself and his team. That really is loyalty.
Predictably there has been some raised eyebrows and criticisms, most notably from player’s agents. Here are a couple of examples.
Kurt Overhardt said, “Every player has to make a value judgement on what’s important to hm, but I thin that contract was fortunate.”
“I feel it’s a player’s right to sign whatever he wants, but if you’re bringing down the market, obviously it doesn’t make us happy,” said Kevin Epp. [Let me translate for you. “I don’t think players should sign for less than what we think is market value.”] “I think it probably has something to do with his sense of loyalty and the length of the deal, but I think an agent definitely would have helped him get a little bit more.” Epp adds, “Playing for market value helps yourself and it helps everyone involved.”
That last statement is total BS. There is a salary cap in the NHL, so there is a fixed amount to go around. Paying more to one guy means someone else gets paid less. It does not help everyone involved, it helps the top guys. The general tone from the agents (from what I’ve read) belies their true thoughts. They don’t like it that Brodeur did not use an agent. Bigger contracts won’t benefit the average player, nor will they help players agents. The only thing Brodeur managed to do was help cut out the middle man.
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