Martin Brodeur was drafted 20th overall in the 1990 Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils. On March 26, 1992, he made NHL debut with a 4-2 win over the Bruins. He played four regular seasons games that Spring and played 32 minutes in one playoff game. In 1993-94, Martin joined the Devils full-time and was an All-Rookie Team goaltender. He went 27-11-7 with a 2.40 goals-against average and won the Calder Trophy as top rookie in the league. He won Rookie of the Month honours in January and March and led the Devils to a 19-point improvement in the standings (club record 47 wins and 106 points). In the playoffs, he led the Devils to the Eastern Conference finals before losing to the Rangers in seven games. In 17 games, Martin had a 1.95 GAA.
In the shortened 1994-95 season, Martin went 19-11-6 and won Player of the Week honours on April 10. In the playoffs, he beat the Flyers in the Eastern Conference finals for the Prince of Wales Trophy. He then topped the Red Wings for the Stanley Cup in the final round. He posted league bests with 20 games by a goaltender, 1,222 minutes, 16 wins, three shutouts and a 1.67 GAA.
In 1995-96, Martin posted a 2.34 GAA and was the Jennings Trophy runner-up as the Devils missed the playoffs. Martin played 77 games (team record) and set a league record with 4,433 minutes played. He also played in his first mid-season All-Star Game. In 1996-97, Martin helped the Devils improve 18 points to win the Atlantic Division title with 104 points. Martin co-won the Jennings Trophy with goaltending partner Mike Dunham and was the runner-up to the Vézina Trophy. He went 37-14-13 (the 13 ties were a team record), was a Second Team All-Star and paced the league with ten shutouts and a 1.88 GAA (both team records). During the season, Martin played in his second All-Star Game and co-won Player of the Week honours on February 17. In the playoffs, Martin helped the Devils reach the second round with two shutouts and a league best 1.73 GAA. On April 17, Martin scored a goal against the Canadiens.
In 1997-98, Martin led the Devils to their second straight Atlantic Division title and won his second Jennings Trophy. The team's 48 wins and 107 points (tie) were both franchise records. He won Player of the Month honours in November, played in his third All-Star Game in January and won Player of the Week honours in February. He set a team record with 43 wins (league best) and tied his own club record with ten shutouts. He was a Second Team All-Star, the Vézina Trophy runner-up and ranked second with a 1.89 GAA. In the playoffs, the Devils lost in the first round while Martin posted a 1.97 GAA. At year's end, Martin ranked 14th on The Hockey News' Top-50 Players list.
In 1998-99, Martin led the Devils to their third straight Atlantic Division title (47 wins, 105 points). Martin paced the league with 70 games by a goaltender, 4,239 minutes played and 39 wins. He posted a 2.29 GAA and played in his fourth consecutive All-Star Game. In 1999-2000, the Devils slipped to second in the Atlantic Division, but posted their fourth straight 100-point season (45 wins, 103 points). Martin paced the league with 43 wins (tying his team record) and posted a 2.24 GAA with six shutouts. In January, he won Player of the Week honours and played in his fifth All-Star Game. On February 15, he scored a game-winning goal. In the playoffs, he first helped the Devils defeat the Flyers for the Prince of Wales Trophy in the Eastern Conference finals. Then, in the final round, he led his team to a Stanley Cup championship in six games over the Stars. He paced the league with 23 games by a goaltender, 1,450 minutes, 16 wins and a 1.61 GAA.
In 2000-01, Martin led the Devils to an Atlantic Division title with a club record 48 wins (tied) and 111 points. He paced the league with 42 wins and played in the mid-season All-Star Game.
