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Maple Leafs could reunite with former gritty winger according to Sportsnet reporter


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Chris Gerics
August 27, 2024  (12:40)
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Matt Martin delivers a bone-crushing hit as a member of the New York Islanders
Photo credit: Andy Marlin/USA TODAY Sports

While the Maple Leafs assess their options for adding some winger depth, they could look to former forward Matt Martin for assistance.

Recently we reported on a few names the Maple Leafs could look at in terms of adding some veteran depth to their lineup such as: Nick Cousins, James Van Riemsdyk, and Max Pacioretty. But another name you can add to the list is former Leaf Matt Martin.
Luke Fox, a reporter for Sportsnet gave his thoughts regarding the rugged winger and how he could fit into the lineup and his connections to the city he still has to this day.
"Matt Martin is a somewhat sentimental option, what with the affable ex-Leaf sitting on the unemployment line just 45 games short of 1,000.

A solid teammate and leader who knows his role, Martin is tight with the likes of Mitch Marner and brings a brand of hockey befitting of Berube and Treliving. (The GM won't let a player's date of birth scare him away if he likes the asset.)"
-Luke Fox on Martin and the Leafs
The connection to Marner obviously helps, though with the forward probably leaving the team after this season, will Martin want to sign now or wait until he finds out where Marner goes. He would fit the mould of new coach Berube although his lack of production could lead him to have minimal minutes; meanwhile Toronto already employs Ryan Reaves. Having two players who produce points at a much, much lower rate than their teammates can really handicap a team especially if opponents decide to swarm them with elite players.
Martin played in 57 games for the New York Islanders last season and only put up 4 goals and 4 assists while adding 43 PIM. His best season came in 2015-2016 where he put up double digit goals for the only time in his career, and finished with 19 points; a career high he matched in 2022-2023.
Martin wouldn't necessarily be a huge asset to the Maple Leafs, and perhaps the signing would be more of a milestone than anything, but Toronto could at least kick the tires and see if he wants a chance to help win a Cup.
Source: Sportsnet
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