After 13 years with the New York Islanders, free agent Matt Martin has a new contract to return to the team for a 14th, finally. Martin, originally drafted by the Islanders in 2008, played all but two of his now 16-year career with the team. He had a pit stop with the Toronto Maple Leafs for two seasons before returning in the 2018-19 season.
Martin Lands Contract With Islanders
The four-year, $6 million contract with $1.5 million annual salary he signed in 2020 expired this offseason. With Martin just turning 35 years old in May and his skills declining, he did not have a spot on the opening night roster. Brought into camp on a professional tryout and he worked hard to remain with the team. He now signs a one-year, one-way deal at the league minimum ($775k) to stay for the rest of the season. It comes at a time when the team needs extra forwards.
The Islanders Have Seen Many Lineup Changes at Forward Already
On Saturday, the Islanders placed Anthony Duclair on Long-Term Injured Reserve with his lower-body injury. His injury was a big blow to the team, who have now been shuffling their lineup. The move freed up $3.5 million in salary and the team made a flurry of roster moves. They made two call-ups, one signing, and sent one player down.
Along with the Martin contract, Pierre Engvall was called back up and plugged in the lineup on Saturday after his surprise send down. Hudson Fashing was also called back up, but he was a healthy scratch. Liam Foudy, was sent back down to AHL Bridgeport after two games. The fourth line has been a revolving door for the Islanders. Oliver Wahlstrom got the first crack at it on opening night before the Duclair injury bumped him up to the third line. Next was Julien Gauthier, who played one game before being put on waivers.
For Martin himself, his 2023-24 campaign was an underwhelming, injury riddled one. These were among the major reasons he wasn’t on the team to begin with out of camp. He saw his average time on ice numbers drop below ten minutes a game to 9:19. His point totals, which are never something to write home about, were down even for his standards. Only playing in 57 games due to some injuries, he finished the season with four goals and four assists for a total of eight points all year. That total was down from the 19 points in 81 games he had last season.
Even his hitting numbers were down from where they usually are, finishing with just 151. He had 295 and 235 hits the last two seasons, respectively. The frustrating season continued into the playoffs where he missed two of the five games due to injury. Even in the three games he was able to play, he did not register a point.
What This Contract Means For The Team
The Martin contract is good for the team. It comes on cheap terms, is only for one year, and gives the Islanders some depth. He won’t play every night and he understands that part. There will be some nights he is a scratch, that’ll be up to head coach Patrick Roy. While he will never light up the box score with goals and assists, he impacts the game in other ways.
Other ways he proves his worth is mainly in the physical part of the game. Martin will play on the teamès fourth line, go out there, and be an enforcer, providing energy and effort. He is tough as nails and will throw his body around with the best of them. He will even drop the gloves to fight and get his hands dirty, if the situation calls for it. Respected off the ice and in the locker room, Martin will bring a veteran presence and voice to the team.
Main Photo: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
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