Cory Schneider is justified for frustration over backing up Martin Brodeur

It’s tough not to feel at least a little sorry for Cory Schneider. After the New Jersey Devils acquired the netminder from the Vancouver Canucks, the days of Schneider playing second fiddle to a veteran incumbent seemed to be over. New Jersey still had Martin Brodeur on the roster, but no one expected the over-the-hill legend to provide much resistance to the incoming Schneider.

Yet Schneider will sit on the bench for the third consecutive game tonight as the Devils continue to roll with Brodeur. While he’s been playing the part of a professional just as well in New Jersey as he did in Vancouver, the frustration seems to be mounting for the netminder.

It’s a strange situation for the Devils, because they are justified in starting Brodeur since he’s played so well over the last couple of weeks. Schneider is also justified in his aggravation over not playing despite the fact that Brodeur has been handed two straight losses.

If this was the first time that this had happened to Schneider, odds are he’d be more comfortable with it. He’s been patient for a long while though, having spent four seasons backing up Roberto Luongo in Vancouver before managing to kind of steal the starting gig away. Even when he seemed to be the go-to guy for the Canucks though, he was still embedded in a pretty even time share.

After failing to find a trade partner for Luongo, Vancouver shocked the hockey world by shipping Schneider to the Devils for a first-round pick.

This made sense for New Jersey, as Brodeur’s best years were clearly behind him. He’s had a resurgence this season though, and has forced Schneider onto the back burner. Again.

Still, New Jersey mad it clear that Schneider wasn’t going to come in and make 65 starts while Brodeur scooped up the rest. These are interesting comments by Schneider, and the net situation in Jersey just became a lot more interesting.