The Islanders are bringing back a familiar face, according to general manager Lou Lamoriello, who told reporters today that they’ll have veteran enforcer Matt Martin in training camp on a PTO (via Ethan Sears of the New York Post).
It’s an unsurprising move for both sides at first glance. Martin, 35, has spent 13 of his 15 NHL seasons on Long Island, racking up 823 appearances since they drafted him in the fifth round in 2008. Aside from a brief detour in Toronto from 2016 to 2018, the heavy hitter has only signed contracts with the Islanders, including his most recent one – a four-year, $6MM pact that expired this summer.
But this is a bit of a course reversal from Lamoriello, who said last month he was unlikely to bring back Martin or longtime linemate Cal Clutterbuck. He’ll hold true to the latter half of that statement, though, confirming today Clutterbuck was not offered a PTO (per Newsday’s Andrew Gross). Martin said a couple of weeks ago that he was intent on returning to the Isles with a chance at playing his 1,000th career regular season game in 2024-25.
Martin posted four goals and four assists in 57 games last season, pacing just slightly south of his career offensive averages while averaging 9:19 per game. He finished second on the team in PIMs (43) and fifth in hits (151). He has 1,158 career PIMs in 955 games.
If Martin manages to land a deal, it’ll likely be a league-minimum pact and could result in him being waived for the first time in his career. The Islanders do have an open roster spot but are completely capped out with $0 in projected space, per PuckPedia. If he’s sent to the minors, it would be his first time suiting up for AHL Bridgeport since the 2010-11 season.
Hmmm, seems odd that a player you’re that familiar with would be given the PTO route. You kinda know what you got with him already.
It is very weird.
Probably a favor to showcase himself and also the possibility that someone gets hurt which would open the cap for him to sign.
They gave him a hand out because nobody gave him a PTO
Well kinda bummed, as I want Ovie to pass Martin for 2nd most hits this year and Clutterbuck the following year. Most goals and most hits is a cool legacy.
Typical Grandpa Lou signing. Again let’s not move forward with this team. Let’s bring back someone that has nothing left. For that matter why not sign Bryan Trottier, or Pat Lafontaine, Denis Potvin, or even Glenn Resch all to PTO’s. Let’s see what Bob Nystrom, and Dave Langevan are capable of doing. Isn’t anyone in Islanders ownership looking at what he’s doing to their team. He’s destroyed this team and nobody seems to have any interest in doing anything to change it. Grandpa Lou should be removed from anything to do with this team. He’s incapable of making decisions that benefit this team. FIRE THE MAN!!!
Nice funny comment to start. The part about spinning nyi wheels not moving forward is true.
End of an era with the 4th line breaking up.
It’s time to move on. Matt Martin was truly good for the community on Long Island but it’s time to move on.