MORE LOVE FOR MATT MARTIN
From OHL tryout to legit NHL prospect
Never quite got to complete my Chronicles of Sarnia Trilogy because of distractions leading up to the trade deadline. But I will follow up with Matt Martin and freshen up my material on him. Until I do, here’s a story from the Sarnia paper today about Martin, a kid who could be a strong intangibles player in a few years for the Islanders. The Islanders hosted Martin and his Sting teammates Mark Katic and Justin DeBenedetto in Toronto on Tuesday.
Comments.
28 Responses to MORE LOVE FOR MATT MARTIN
From OHL tryout to legit NHL prospect
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Ryan says:
Sign’em up and give the kid a shot
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Kevin says:
Great article. I hope we see him wearing an Islanders uniform in the near future. Good luck in the playoffs Matt.
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The PolishPrince says:
Sounds like Martin could turn out to be a real gem of an NHL’er in a few years. Nice read. I’m looking forward to CB’s piece on him as well.
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jonw says:
Great job on the article.Early returns on the hard work R.Jankowski and the scouting staff are doing seem to be good.Signing some of theses guys before thay can make an impact is the nhl is a tricky craft.I am not always for having teenagers playing in the nhl.Playing another year in juniors,college or the ahl will not hurt.
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Original Rob says:
I like how that article quotes “Islanders general manager” Ryan Jankowski.
I guess the story of a backup goalie turning into a general manager overnight is too much for the Sarnia media to believe, even after telling Martin’s own unlikely story.
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stopthepain says:
CB – I have an off topic question I was hoping you could help me with. Looking into the Islanders future, I’m more concerned with DP’s concussion history than his hip injuries (mainly because as most people know concussion syndrome can strike at anytime, and each successive concussion is easier to get). My question is whether or not taking a full year off from the NHL helps DP build defense against future concussions? Assuming DP hasn’t gotten a concussion in a year and a half by the time he comes back to the Islanders full time, does that help prevent future concussions? Does a year and a half of “brain healing” help prevent future concussions? Any doctors on this blog?
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Coach B says:
Katic is the one of the three that must be signed by June 1 (looks like Katic has done enough to be signed). DiBenedetto has already played 5 years in the OHL. Martin could go either way, probably ready for the AHL but the 50 contract rule might hold him back for another year.
This is the beauty of the draft, teams that do their homework can find players in the later rounds. -
dally mac says:
Martin should have another year of Junior eligibility, if he does, keep him there till the following year. To see what we actually have in the way of Tambellini, Walter, and Colliton…..as well as others…pretty soon we will have a ton of prospects, give them all one look at a time. 50 contract…interesting,,,never heard that number before.
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Matt says:
Post 7. I would be more worried about his present problems, who knows whats going on with him. He is obviously having problems with his knee post surgery. Its incredible how I forgot about his concussion issues with all his other problems. Unfortunately I have a feeling that albatross of a contract is going to be haunting us for quite some time. Oh well maybe Gordon/Snow will put him on the bench for emotional support like he did earlier this season that was good for a laugh. Thats got to be worth 4.5 million for 15 years!
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Loudville330 says:
Yes!!!!! Atlanta and Tampa Bay pull of Shootout wins!!!
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You read a blog and you guys think we have a star on our hands and you want to get the parade for Snow. Jeez, you guys are easy. Give it a couple years and we will see how good he did.
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I was flipping between those two shootouts. Both Atlanta (no Kavalchuk)and Tampa came back from 3-1 deficits in the 3rd period.
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Speaking of Sarnia, whil;e watching TV I had the radio on. Katic scored in OT (goal 13 for him),had an assist, Dibenedetto with 2 assists, Martin no points tonight in Sarnia’s 3-2 win over Saginaw.
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db says:
tavares/hedman is possibly islanders destiny
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Martin may not be a star but he has the potential to be a good role player. This season made him a legit NHL prospect.
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StevieL says:
Atlanta has been huge down the stretch. Big night in the hunt for Tavares! TB steps up!! Need a Colorado and Phoenix win now!
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
CB … thanks for forwarding that bedtime story … LOL!! I really look forward to reading your final triolgy of Chronicals of Sarnia!
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Pat says:
Atlanta beats Buffalo in Shootout
Tampa beats FLA in a shootout
Big night for Tavaheduch Watchers !
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This is the type of guy that can set the tone for an org for a long time. Obviously there are several unwritten chapters of the Matt Martin story but as with anything, once you “get it” mentally and physically, the learning curve at higher levels gets shorter. I think being named captain of the Sting is a HUGE indication of his overall talent level. I have this gut feeling that that Martin and DiBenedetto are going to be huge parts of the org in the near future.
Maybe its just me as an Islander fan searching for a silver lining of sorts, but I am really enjoying watching the rebuild because for once I feel like we are doing it right. Sticking with our young guys, creating a “system” throughout the organization and most importantly, not opting for the big splash quick fix that has kept the NYI in a constant state of mediocrity.
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TIM says:
when are you gonna sign with the isles CB we could use you on the penalty kill buddy, you def have the knowledge
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puckhead68 says:
matt #13 Take it easy dude, nobody here is claiming he is going to be the next crosby. Listen to CB, stop with the insults and let people voice thier own opinions.
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Even better, TB and ATL play each other two more times. That’s four points up for grabs either of those two are gonna get stuck with.
We play TB once.
TB and ATL play eachother the last game of the season which should be interesting.
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Pete DeBenedetto says:
Just wondering CB….can you put a “magic number” on the site for the Tavheduch watch…this has been very hard…very excited for the great play by the youngsters…and any true fan wants an Islander win night after night…but I would hate the chance of passing up on either of these 2 picks…but you never know what your getting with picks. Anyway…the magic point number may be 23??? Not sure.
and….do we have to sign Martin and DiBo this summer????
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We don’t have to sign Martin and DiBenedetto this summer, we have a few more summers before they must be signed. As for the Tavheduch watch, I think tonight was good for the Isles. Although we played well, we lost while both the Lightning and Thrashers won, now pushing our gap to 6 points and with 13 games left. To be fair, finishing last guarantees us one of Hedman/Tavares, and we must continue along that path to get one of them. I almost hope we get the second overall pick, that way we can just select whoever out of Hedman and Tavares is left. That way, Snow can never be blamed for making the wrong decision. We need either of those two players, and I will be happy either way.
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Yeah dally mac … I never heard of that 50 pro-contract limit either. It seems extremely small considering the NHL roster is 23 … then you have to fill a minor league roster … and not to mention the other minor pro affiliates in Utah (ECHL) and Odessa (CHL).
MLB teams carry at least one team at each level minor league level … AAA AA A and Rookie Leagues.
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FIsles says:
I don’t think the limit of 50 NHL contracts is small. It’s all about prioritizing. It wouldn’t even make any sense to sign something like 60 players to NHL contracts. You can always sign more players to AHL contracts anyway.
This is what I always try to emphasize when people want to trade half the team for draft picks. You can’t sign all of your draft picks in the best-case scenario, nevermind trying to do it when you have a truck load of extra picks every year. People need to do the simple math and count how many players can actually play on the NHL and AHL teams at any given time. Only a select few top talents start in the NHL, and how many open slots are there in Bridgeport? Think about it. Not many if you intend to develop the players you sign instead of throwing the whole team in the garbage every one or two years. It’s not all about drafting. Developing the kids is just as important, but the number of open berths is very limited. Even if you could sign 250 players to NHL contracts, it would make no difference at all because only a fraction of them can be put into the appropriate environment for development.
I hope we give each of these 3 guys a fair shot to make our organization