Left-winger Matt Martin has signed a four-year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs worth $10 million. Martin spent the first six years of his career with the New York Islanders.
BREAKING: The #MapleLeafs have signed Matt Martin to a 4-year $10 million deal
— SiriusXM NHL Network (@SiriusXMNHL) July 1, 2016
Matt Martin Signs With Toronto Maple Leafs
At 27 years old Martin was allowed to walk from the Islanders after his most successful season to date. Never known for his offense, Martin contributed a career-high 19 points last season, dipping into double digit goals (10) for the first time.
A staple of the Islanders fourth line, the former fifth round pick is a defensive specialist. He was second on the Islanders in CA/60, but his limited play-driving ability left him with barely negative possession numbers, and just a 47 XG% (expected goals).
Martin’s 2015 campaign, and his line’s unexpected contributions in the playoffs (6 points in 11 games) are enough to entice any GM into taking a look into the fourth liner. A strong penalty-killer, he brings the kind of old-school tenacity that many are looking for, while still proving he can contribute. He lead the NHL in hits as he has every year since 2011-2012 (he was fourth in his rookie year, teammate Cal Clutterbuck lead).
Main Photo:
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 17: Matt Martin #17 of the New York Islanders argues a first period penalty call with referee Chris Rooney #5 during the game against the Florida Panthers in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Barclays Center on April 17, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
