The New Jersey Devils are not much without the stellar goaltending of Martin Brodeur, who is the backbone of the organization (AP Photo)
One thing we now know, as if any further proof was needed, is that Sean Avery shouldn't be expecting a Christmas card from Martin Brodeur.
Big deal. That Avery-hating line forms over there to the right, and it is a long one.
The problem in Jersey goes much deeper than a petty on-ice feud.
The Devils are a whole lot of Brodeur and a little of much else, and one-trick ponies usually don't last all that long come spring, at least not in the NHL.
Let's state the obvious. Avery is a tool, but that isn't exactly news. The headlines being made by Brodeur refusing to shake Avery's hand in the seconds following the Blueshirts' sudden demolition of the Devils in the opening round of the Stanley Cup showdown are nothing more than a facade.
Anyone who is shocked by Brodeur's subtle gesture obviously hasn't been paying attention. No one knows for sure what Avery was yapping in Brodeur's ear all series long, but I'll drop a ten-spot that Avery wasn't asking how the family is.
So, yes, Brodeur is well within his rights to ignore Avery in that traditional smooch-fest once a series has been decided, but that storyline is irrelevant.
Avery was a major part in the Rangers' rather easy taming of the Devils, and as I mentioned last week, may have titled the outcome in New York's favor.
But at the end of the day, whether Avery was pushing him off the deep end or not, Martin Brodeur was very ordinary, just as he has been in the past few post-seasons. And when Brodeur is ordinary, the Devils are dead in the water. Simple.
The Devils were carried all season long by the future Hall of Fame goaltender, just as they have been for years, and his back finally gave out, just when it mattered most.
The Devils are a very mediocre team with one of the best goaltenders in the world. Labeling them as anything more is what is known as denial.
Over the past week and a half, the Devils were given a pretty good view of what life without Marty is going to be like.
And it wasn't a pretty picture.