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NHL Free Agency Rumors: Matt Martin signs four-year deal with Maple Leafs

By Dave Stevenson

Apr 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Islanders left wing Matt Martin (17) works out prior to game two of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Islanders left wing Matt Martin (17) works out prior to game two of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to Bob McKenzie, the Toronto Maple Leafs have signed forward Matt Martin to a four-year deal worth $2.5 million annually and $10 million overall.

Forward Matt Martin entered the NHL offseason as one of the most physical forwards available in free agency. According to Bob McKenzie, the Toronto Maple Leafs have signed the fourth line forward to a four-year deal worth $10M total. His cap hit will be $2.5 million.

Martin is a huge overpay for the Maple Leafs, both in terms of money and length of the deal. There is no reason to give a fourth line forward like Martin four years and no reason to give him $2.5 million per season. The Maple Leafs have been making a lot of wise decisions as of late, but this one seems like a terrible one.

Formerly of the New York Islanders, Martin had a career year in 2015-16. He scored a career-high 10 goals and had a career high 19 points. Martin is a very solid penalty killer and he should help to protect all of their young skilled players. Physical forwards like Martin are still needed to do the grunt work so that skilled forwards can do their job. That said, Martin’s contract is still baffling for a team that has prided itself in being a team that cares a lot about analytics.

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