The San Jose Sharks have signed free agent defenceman Paul Martin to a four year deal. Martin spent last season with the Pittsburgh Penguins scoring 3 goals and 17 assists for 20 points. Financial terms will follow shortly.
Done deal. Paul Martin has agreed to a four-year deal with the San Jose Sharks.
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) July 1, 2015
From Ken Hill:
Martin also falls into the defensive defenseman category, though his role has been less defined over the course of his career, as he’s a very mobile blueliner who can actually produce quite well on the other side of the puck.
The 2000 Devils draft pick had an immediate impact in New Jersey, finishing the season in the Calder conversation with 24 points and exploding for a career-high 37 in 2005-06. He would prove to be both durable and consistent during his time in Jersey, regularly hitting the 30-point mark and rarely missing tons of time with injuries.
However a broken arm in the 2009-10 season derailed what had been the start of a promising year, as he notched 11 points in 22 games. Still, the Penguins liked what they saw in Martin, and locked him up to five-year, $25 million contract.
The American’s tenure in Pittsburgh could be described as more or less successful, though he again missed time in 2013-14 and last season his play slipped quite noticeably – he finished with the lowest point total and lowest ice time since that lost 2009-10 season.
So, at 34 years old, there is serious cause for concern that Martin is no longer the player he once was. He does a little bit of everything well and is still an excellent shot-blocker (he set a career-high with 139 last season), so he could do well if his minutes and role are managed accordingly, but he shouldn’t be expected to play quality top-four minutes for much longer.
Main Photo: GLENDALE, AZ – NOVEMBER 06: Paul Martin #7 of the Pittsburgh Penguins awaits a face off during the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on November 6, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Penguins defeated the Coyotes 4-3 in an overtime shootout. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
