Islanders working on retaining UFA forward Matt Martin

Matt Martin is likely going to be back with the New York Islanders with both sides working towards a deal according to a report.

According to The Athletic’s Arthur Staple, the New York Islanders and Matt Martin are working towards completing a deal to keep the forward with the team. No specifics were leaked aside from the fact that Martin wants to stay.

This isn’t a done deal yet. But it’s clear that the Islanders want to keep their fourth-line left wing for a bit longer. Considering the connection between the player, the franchise, the area, and the GM to the player, this makes all the sense in the world.

Lost of Interest

Again, this isn’t a done deal yet, but you’d have to imagine something gets done to the tune of $1 million (or less) and for a single year. The Isles would have been OK waiting a bit longer before signing the veteran fourth-liner, but it seems that Martin has received a considerable level of interest around the league since free agency opened.

Again, Arthur Staple leading the way here, according to the Islanders beat writer, seven teams have inquired about Martin’s services.

Lou Lamoriello signed Martin as a free agent when he was at the helm of the Toronto Maple Leafs and brought the forward in when Lou took over the New York Islanders. The Islanders and more specifically Lou clearly likes Matt Martin – and for good reason – and so he doesn’t want to lose him.

Martin has played 692 games in the NHL scoring 131 points and amusing 946 penalty minutes. He’s a forward that plays a physically punishing game and is typically good for 12-15 points in a season.

He turned some heads in the postseason this year when he put up five goals and six points as the Islanders marched to the Eastern Conference Finals.

With Matt Martin likely back and with linemates Casey Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck still under contract, the best fourth-line in hockey will seemingly get one more kick at the can in 2020-21.