No debating Martin Brodeur's greatness, meaning to Devils

When the New Jersey Devils drafted Marty Brodeur in 1990, the Montreal, Quebec, native admits that he wasn't precisely sure where the Garden State was located.

That was fitting because it is Brodeur who has done the most to put the Devils on the NHL map.

"For hockey purposes, New Jersey is home to me," Brodeur told USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday after the Devils announced his No. 30 will be retired.

The number will be raised during a ceremony before the Devils' Feb. 9, 2016, game against the Edmonton Oilers. The Devils also plan to honor him with a statue that will be placed outside Prudential Center.

STAFF PREDICTIONS: Who wins it all, plus individual award picks

Considering Brodeur retired last season, he said he was a little surprised that the Devils have chosen to honor him so quickly. His long-time general manager Lou Lamoriello left the organization to join the Toronto Maple Leafs during the offseason. It's a new regime in charge, but none of that matters.

Everyone in hockey understands that Brodeur is the most important player in Devils history.

The Devils have boasted other important players, such as Scott Stevens and Scott Niedermayer. Both of them have their numbers retired. Ken Daneyko does as well. But those players, as significant as they were in Devils history, are just below Brodeur on the list of all-time great Devils.

How many players are clear-cut choices as the greatest player of their franchises? Mario Lemieux in Pittsburgh to be sure. Wayne Gretzky in Edmonton and Los Angeles? Rocket Richard in Montreal? I would say Gordie Howe in Detroit. As soon as this is published, someone will send me a Twitter message making a case that Steve Yzerman was bigger because the sport had a higher profile when he was the face of the Red Wings.

The point is simply that Brodeur is among the few players whose status as their team's best player is difficult to challenge.

10 bold predictions for 2015-16 NHL season

"I really never felt like I had the pressure of being the face of the franchise," Brodeur said. "When I was with Scott Stevens and Scott Niedermayer we were the players fans associated with the New Jersey Devils. But I can tell you that when you play with the same organization for two decades, you see a lot of people come and go."

Brodeur has won more games (688) than any goalie in NHL history, and all but three of those wins came with the Devils. He holds the NHL record with 124 shutouts, and all but one has come with New Jersey.

"When I came to New Jersey, it was a team that didn't have much winning in their history," Brodeur said. "So it was pretty cool to be part of the first wave of winning."

He was instrumental in helping the Devils win their three Stanley Cup championships.

NHL POWER RANKINGS: Ducks, Lightning lead the way

The Devils have a long tradition of playing stingy team defense, but it was Brodeur's play in net that was at the heart of that.

It is odd that the Devils had to plan Brodeur's celebration without Lamoriello being involved. Lamoriello was Brodeur's boss, but their relationship was much closer.

"It's strange to walk in here to see all of the new faces," Brodeur said. "I think it shocked people that Lou went to Toronto but it doesn't change my relationship with him."

Brodeur keeps in regular contact with Lamoriello by phone. Brodeur understands Lamoriello's willingness to go elsewhere to run a team because last season the former goalie joined the management team of the St. Louis Blues. He is their assistant general manager.

NHL team-by-team 2015-16 season previews

"It's hard not to pay attention to (the Devils)," Brodeur said. "For old-time sake, I look to see how they are doing. If I do forget about them, I have friends and buddies calling me to tell me what they are doing."

When his No. 30 ascends to the rafters, Brodeur has a checklist of fond memories to recall.

"A lot of things will cross my mind, mostly the 20 years I've spent in New Jersey," Brodeur said. "I will think of my kids, and I will be missing my dad."

Brodeur's dad was the a team photographer for the Canadiens. He died in 2013. Marty was very close with him.

"He's going to have the best seat in the house," Brodeur said.