Martin Brodeur Can Make History vs. Habs This Week

Devils goalie Martin Brodeur shows off winning puck from 103rd career shutout on Dec. 7. He can break Terry Sawchuk's record with shutout over the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night. Photograph by: Bill Wippert, NHLI via Getty Images

From The Montreal Gazette:

Devils goalie looking for 104th career shutout.

MONTREAL – The odds are that not every puck the Canadiens fire Wednesday night in New Jersey will remain in front of Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur.

But imagine if they do.

Imagine Brodeur skating into history against the Canadiens, having recorded the 104th shutout of his career to break an NHL record that many have long said was beyond challenge.

Read more ....

My Comment: It is not going to happen this Wednesday night.

Is An NHL Franchise Going To Quebec City?

Quebec City Mayor Tries To Lure NHL -- CBC

Former Nordiques owner Marcel Aubut apparently involved as well.

One of the National Hockey League's fiercest rivalries could be in line for a second run.

CBC Sports has confirmed a report that Mayor Régis Labeaume met with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on Friday in New York about bringing a team back to the provincial capital.

Marcel Aubut, the former owner of the Quebec Nordiques, was also at the meeting.

Read more ....

Update: Quebec mayor's NHL talk is offside: opponents -- CBC

My Comment: These guys and the Quebec City taxpayers do not have the money.

Is Hockey's Popularity Waning In Canada?

From CTV:

It may seem as unlikely as Canadians suddenly giving up their Double Double habit, but a new study says hockey's popularity is waning in the Great White North.

Reginald Bibby, a prominent sociologist at the University of Lethbridge and author of "The Emerging Millennials," says hockey is losing popularity in all age groups.

"Contrary to the beliefs of Canadian observers . . . interest in the National Hockey League has actually dropped," he told Canada AM. "It's just not a matter that there is a drop off with teens, we're seeing the same thing with adults."

Read more ....

My Comment: It is a business now .... and the hockey players have a vested interest in making sure that the bottom line produces for them. The enthusiasm and excitement of the game started to die in the 1980s .... to we have what we have today.

Give me U.S. college football, the Olympics, the World Cup .... but NHL hockey .... nope.

Brodeur Matches Roy With 551st NHL Win

Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur falls to the ice after making a save against the Montreal Canadiens in the second period. (Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)

From CBC:

Standing several feet apart at Montreal's Bell Centre prior to the puck-drop on Saturday night, Martin Brodeur and Patrick Roy were side by side in the National Hockey League record book at game's end.

Brodeur, tending goal for the New Jersey Devils in his hometown, stopped 22 shots in a 3-1 win over the Canadiens to tie Roy's league record of 551 career victories.

"I feel great. I'm definitely happy it's over with," Brodeur told Jeff Marek of Hockey Night in Canada. "The last couple days, especially coming into the Montreal, was hectic with press conferences and a lot of people, a lot of family around, but I didn't disappoint anybody."

Read more ....