Devils Minus Clemmensen: Goalie Signs with Panthers
Former Brodeur understudy gets opportunity to shine as starter
Posted on Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 5:46 PM"I got my foot in the door."
That was Scott Clemmensen's standard answer to newsmen after one of the goaltender's unexpected victories as a Devil last season.
The Clemmer wanted to focus attention on himself looking toward That GREAT, GREAT, COME AND GET IT DAY. July 1, 2009.
Alas, here it is; and Scotty's got IT — a three-year deal totalling $3.6 million from the Florida Panthers.
His ambition always was to prove himself as a regular and he did just that in 2008-09 when Martin Brodeur went down with an injury that threatened to scuttle the Devils season.
Instead, Clemmensen saved the season, playing steady, sometimes spectacular hockey until Brodeur's late season return, by which time Clemmer had virtually guaranteed a playoff berth for New Jersey.
As expected, when Marty returned, Clemmer — like Kevin Weekes and other goalies before him — became another forgotten Devils goalie hidden in Brodeur's shadow.
Ever classy, Scotty knew the score and never beefed. But he also developed confidence in his ability — that "foot in the door" — and now he'll get his opportunity with the Panthers.
But that leaves the Devils with something of a dilemma; otherwise known as finding a back-up for Brodeur.
The obvious choice is Weekes who has done it before; knows the score — that Marty wants to play in virtually every game — and has very few options.
Thus, the betting is that Lou Lamoriello will sign Weekes, leaving his club with a couple of senior citizens in goal.
Brodeur appeared in mint condition upon his return but he failed in Game Seven of the opening round against Carolina and one can only wonder how many games he can handle in 2009-10.
Likewise, it's chancy to expect oft-injured Weekes to be able to sustain the physical and mental pressure of replacing Brodeur the way Clemmensen did should Marty get hurt again.
That, however, is a concern for another day.
What matters is that good guy Clemmer got his wish and The Maven wishes him well.
Lamoriello has a couple of months to evaluate his goaltending situation and make a move if the Weekes' Option does not seem realistic.
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