I agree with you on that. It's impossible for us to say what kind of affect and influence he had on the rookies because we're not around the team. So if they say that he makes them more comfortable then I'm willing to take their word for it. Whether you think that justifies $2.5M a year is a matter of opinion.
- Jeffmt

its a solid payment for a 4th liner but I think that with the current structure of the team it doesn't really hurt, I mean hell were still paying gleason 1.3 mil this season FFS!

lol what a joke...

How will this management team work? - it worked last year and we didn't add any new managers...
Why won't Lou given Matthews his bonus money? What are you talking about? Matthews will get his money if he hasn't already.. it's contractual lol
Matthews will walk out to Zona after his ELC - Nope... where's the proof of that?
Babcock will be fired after his 2nd year - HAHAHAHAHAHA Coach of the year runner up?
2015 draft - too small - Illegitimate comment - Was Marty St.Louis too small? Every player is different.
2016 draft - too old - Illegitimate comment - How is a draftee too old?
2017 draft - too big - Illegitimate comment - Was Chara too Big? Every player is different.
July 3rd - we don't have any room to sign Brown - We do... read the cap duh
July 11 - we have too much room to sign Brown - Lol what kind of comment is this? We have too room to sign brown???

I could go on, but this is just stupid now.. "Our window is opening" "Our window slammed shut" (Why? Because our star rookie scored 4 goals in his first game)

you're a joker pal...
- Bleedz_Blue

sarcasm isn't your forte is it

lol what a joke...

How will this management team work? - it worked last year and we didn't add any new managers...
Why won't Lou given Matthews his bonus money? What are you talking about? Matthews will get his money if he hasn't already.. it's contractual lol
Matthews will walk out to Zona after his ELC - Nope... where's the proof of that?
Babcock will be fired after his 2nd year - HAHAHAHAHAHA Coach of the year runner up?
2015 draft - too small - Illegitimate comment - Was Marty St.Louis too small? Every player is different.
2016 draft - too old - Illegitimate comment - How is a draftee too old?
2017 draft - too big - Illegitimate comment - Was Chara too Big? Every player is different.
July 3rd - we don't have any room to sign Brown - We do... read the cap duh
July 11 - we have too much room to sign Brown - Lol what kind of comment is this? We have too room to sign brown???

I could go on, but this is just stupid now.. "Our window is opening" "Our window slammed shut" (Why? Because our star rookie scored 4 goals in his first game)

you're a joker pal...
- Bleedz_Blue

lol what a joke...


- Bleedz_Blue

lol he thinks it was serious

If you don't think a tough guy on the ice changes the way others play...you are wrong. Just imagine you ran over Marner...then you see Martins glare coming your way. Do you really just keep playing without looking over your shoulder? I don't think so. The mindset is certainly different when you know the tough guy has a bounty on you.

It's insane the Leafs still have Martin and that they pay him what they do. He's next to useless and his contract is hilarious. But he's old school hockey yadda yadda.......and taking the place of a skilled player for no reason!
- James_Tanner

James,

it's not insane at all the same management group that signed Matt kept him 1 year later? They knew what Martin was going to bring, points are not what they need Martin to get, they are a bonus.

next to useless? and hilarious contract? come on, you can't be serious here?

2.5 million: lets compare a few "hilarious contracts" to your Coyotes.

How about two buyouts of Ribiero and Smith: 1.945 million for 3 more seasons (martin makes 2.5 a season for the same years) and Mike Smith 1.4 million for another 2. Id take the best hitter in the league at 28 years old over an X drug addict buyout and an ageing goalie buyout with the 500k in salary cap over that crap!

the Leafs want a hard checking energy line on the fourth line, and will continue to develop their prospects until they are ready to slot into a top 9 role where they belong, not playing 8 minutes a game on the fourth line.

Wow.

Still salty about the playoffs huh?


- Scabeh

Nah not really, I was never a fan of nut spearing, finger chopping and post whistle jabs from behind a ref, long before this year's playoffs

Nah not really, I was never a fan of nut spearing, finger chopping and post whistle jabs from behind a ref, long before this year's playoffs
- wilkobecks

Doubling down on the salt. Gotta keep an eye on that sodium intake fella.

Eichel will soon get a 8 years 80M contract according to Buffalo News.
- Scabeh

Eichels way better then people here like to admit. exciting player, i thought maybe it would be around 9 mil a year but this is going to be the normal now around 10.. Laine Matthews too

If you don't think a tough guy on the ice changes the way others play...you are wrong. Just imagine you ran over Marner...then you see Martins glare coming your way. Do you really just keep playing without looking over your shoulder? I don't think so. The mindset is certainly different when you know the tough guy has a bounty on you.
- PeterThePuck

I think the game is going less and less that way now, you don't need to look much further than how many STL players have been injured by suspendable offences over the past few years (I can't find the source right now but it was in a really interesting article written right after PITT traded for Reaves) There is zero chance that anyone passes up a chance to steamroll Matthews/Marner etc because they are scared of Matt Martin. Brad Marchand is another good example, he is the biggest POS in the game and never fights, because he knows he doesn't have to

Nah not really, I was never a fan of nut spearing, finger chopping and post whistle jabs from behind a ref, long before this year's playoffs
- wilkobecks

Were you a fan of piggy backing the other team's star players.

I think the game is going less and less that way now, you don't need to look much further than how many STL players have been injured by suspendable offences over the past few years (I can't find the source right now but it was in a really interesting article written right after PITT traded for Reaves) There is zero chance that anyone passes up a chance to steamroll Matthews/Marner etc because they are scared of Matt Martin.Brad Marchand is another good example, he is the biggest POS in the game and never fights, because he knows he doesn't have to
- wilkobecks

This is very true. They still make the hit then Martin takes a penalty for retaliation later on more then likely.

Doubling down on the salt. Gotta keep an eye on that sodium intake fella.
- markmark

Sorry dude you are totally right, I must be blinded by jealousy that the Pens beat the Sens, otherwise I would be totally cool with that stuff (as you seem to be implying that you are). I also think Brad Marchand is a piece of garbage and Ott beat the Bruins, so I can't figure out all of these confusing emotions. Also, do you work in the salt industry? You seem to have a bit of a thing

Doubling down on the salt. Gotta keep an eye on that sodium intake fella.
- markmark

Just imagine how mad he's going to be when the Sen's miss the playoffs this year and next year when Karlsson gets traded because Eugene Smellsh!t is too cheap to pay him.

Were you a fan of piggy backing the other team's star players.
- Aetherial

Not at all. I wish the league would call penalities consistently, all season, on everyone.

Lucas, you know I love you buddy.

But Matt Martin, as good of a guy he is and as good of a teamate he can be....

I completely disagree with him being a useful element on the ice and/or being "one of the best 4th liners in the game".

He's probably, imo, the worst contract on the Leafs too (unless Marleau blows more than expected).

Anyway, gotta love your optimism about your team as always! Cheers!

*Countdown to Mike's blog: T-2hours
- Scabeh

Because having a 28 year old 6'3" 220lb 4th liner who has lead the league in hits 4 of the last 5 years, who can actually skate, is capable of potting 7-10 goals (done it four times), who will scrap anyone and stand up for his teammates and from all accounts is a solid team guy is absolutely (frank)ing terrible.

Martin may not be the best 4th liner in the league, but he certainly checks a lot the boxes. It wasn't long ago that Martin, Clutterbuck and Cizikas were pretty much the best checking line in the game.

For what Martin brings to the table, $2.5M x 3 is nothing.

Andrew Shaw anyone?

Sorry dude you are totally right, I must be blinded by jealousy that the Pens beat the Sens, otherwise I would be totally cool with that stuff (as you seem to be implying that you are). I also think Brad Marchand is a piece of garbage and Ott beat the Bruins, so I can't figure out all of these confusing emotions. Also, do you work in the salt industry? You seem to have a bit of a thing
- wilkobecks

Saying Brad Marchand is garbage is like saying the sky is blue. It's common knowledge.

Saying Crosby and Malkin are "some of the dirtiest players in the game today" reeks of you not accepting defeat to a much better team than the Sens.

Have a nice day sir.

Eichels way better then people here like to admit. exciting player, i thought maybe it would be around 9 mil a year but this is going to be the normal now around 10.. Laine Matthews too
- ClarksonDavid

I don't disagree with this.

Not at all. I wish the league would call penalities consistently, all season, on everyone.
- wilkobecks

Agreed.

Because having a 28 year old 6'3" 220lb 4th liner who has lead the league in hits 4 of the last 5 years, who can actually skate, is capable of potting 7-10 goals (done it four times), who will scrap anyone and stand up for his teammates and from all accounts is a solid team guy is absolutely (frank)ing terrible.

Martin may not be the best 4th liner in the league, but he certainly checks a lot the boxes. It wasn't long ago that Martin, Clutterbuck and Cizikas were pretty much the best checking line in the game.

For what Martin brings to the table, $2.5M x 3 is nothing.

Andrew Shaw anyone?
- As_I_See_It

Andrew Shaw is a better hockey player than Matt Martin.

His contract, his personality, his goddamn face are much worse though, I agree.

Sorry dude you are totally right, I must be blinded by jealousy that the Pens beat the Sens, otherwise I would be totally cool with that stuff (as you seem to be implying that you are). I also think Brad Marchand is a piece of garbage and Ott beat the Bruins, so I can't figure out all of these confusing emotions. Also, do you work in the salt industry? You seem to have a bit of a thing
- wilkobecks

everyone is entitled to their own opinion that's the joys of a blog about a single player. lots of different opinions!

martin protected Matthews, nylander and marner at different times throughout the season after they were hit or roughed up, he lost some of those fights and was even in the others. that's his job and he does it well.

if martin didn't do his job well the leafs wouldn't have had as much success from all those rookies as they felt comfortable and somewhat safer on the ice knowing they had players like martin/polak out there to help if need be.


- Lucas.Neilson

I'm on your side Lucas.

Martin's presence on the ice and in the locker room is easily worth the money he gets paid.

Besides the defending of the rookies and being a physical presence on the ice for cheap shot bumholes, he hits like a truck.

I DON'T GET WHY PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT HITTING THE OTHER TEAMS D ON A FORECHECK WEARS THEM DOWN AND TIRES THEM OUT.

This is why Babcock likes Hyman, Komarov, Brown and Martin.

This iis why JVR is trade bait. We need to add a winger to that line that forechecks with some physicality. That would be one on each line. Kappy and/or Leivo and/or Sosh actually do this very well too.

- markmark

Eichels way better then people here like to admit. exciting player, i thought maybe it would be around 9 mil a year but this is going to be the normal now around 10.. Laine Matthews too
- ClarksonDavid

Yes and it still very much a question over who is the better player between him and Matthews.

I see attitude problems with Eichel though. Last year's little temper tantrum is not "leadership". It's just being a whiny brat.

Saying Brad Marchand is garbage is like saying the sky is blue. It's common knowledge.

Saying Crosby and Malkin are "some of the dirtiest players in the game today" reeks of you not accepting defeat to a much better team than the Sens.

Have a nice day sir.
- Scabeh

We don't always agree - but this is not only true, but an understatement. If not for Karlsson we would be talking a bottom five team.