Its because they've extended them......

As for UFA's well we can all ask Ryan Smyth, Andy Sutton, and PA about this one.
- kindlyrick

So what? If they hated it here they would have played out their contracts, went UFA and signed somewhere else.

No...I'm not. You stated that leading the league in hits is a "HUGE DEAL" and I'm telling you it's not. I'm simply telling you that if player A has 300 hits and player B has 275 hits, player A may have more because he has a habit to follow through more often on plays that he should be backchecking on. I'm not speaking specifically about Matt but simply saying that players different habits (bad or good) can make a stat such as hits inflate. While having a guy that constantly throws the body is a good thing, I don't think it's going to be a big deal at the negotiation table.
- keaner17

Just so we're clear the next player had 80 less hits.......its a big deal in the NHL to play that style night in and night out. Sorry but you're overthinking this with your scenarios. Hitting in the NHL is a major part of the game.

Very nice.. Still hot as hell there? The kids must travel well, Movies, games, how do you keep 4 happy for 9 hours?
- bixll

Going over night... so ill put a movie on for them & they will fall asleep watching it, then sleep the rest of the way. Ill leave 9:30-10pm. Its just 3 kids 2 ,3 & 5.
14y/o lives in AZ.
Very friggen hot, humid.. the works! not much better on L.I.

XxNYIxX

Ok let me rephrase.

All signs point to not a single shred of evidence that the Islanders and Martin will not come to terms on a contract that is fair for both player and team.
- eichiefs9

Except for the fact that its not a done deal........

You said id rather have a guy who can bang and score...........im saying Matt Martin can do that. He's not just a banger........as Garth said.
- kindlyrick

I think he's got the 'potential' to do that. Still....unless we're being literal by sayig because he scored more than one goal he can score, 7 goals isn't exactly a huge contribution. He doesn't become a huge piece to me until he's breaking 15 goals. Otherwise, yes, he's just another banger.

So what? If they hated it here they would have played out their contracts, went UFA and signed somewhere else.
- PeteM

Ummm they did!

Just so we're clear the next player had 80 less hits.......its a big deal in the NHL to play that style night in and night out. Sorry but you're overthinking this with your scenarios. Hitting in the NHL is a major part of the game.
- kindlyrick

Yes, hitting in the NHL is a big part, leading hits in the league does not make a guy indespensible.

I think he's got the 'potential' to do that. Still....unless we're being literal by sayig because he scored more than one goal he can score, 7 goals isn't exactly a huge contribution. He doesn't become a huge piece to me until he's breaking 15 goals. Otherwise, yes, he's just another banger.
- keaner17

When he hits the 15 min of ice per game and playing with players not named Marty Reasoner, maybe he will hit the 15 goal mark. Until then, he's on a crap line with crap ice.......and he still led the league in hits.

When he hits the 15 min of ice per game and playing with players not named Marty Reasoner, maybe he will hit the 15 goal mark. Until then, he's on a crap line with crap ice.......and he still led the league in hits.
- kindlyrick

Going over night... so ill put a movie on for them & they will fall asleep watching it, then sleep the rest of the way. Ill leave 9:30-10pm. Its just 3 kids 2 ,3 & 5.
14y/o lives in AZ.
Very friggen hot, humid.. the works! not much better on L.I.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Great idea, forgot about the one in Az. Enjoy the trip, and drive safe..

Yes, hitting in the NHL is a big part, leading hits in the league does not make a guy indespensible.
- keaner17

Its not about that...........ANYONE is replaceable. This team is about rebuilding, and growing from within. Martin is home grown......he's part of the core.

Except for the fact that its not a done deal........
- kindlyrick

Big whoop. You're really reaching for things to complain about.

Great idea, forgot about the one in Az. Enjoy the trip, and drive safe..
- bixll

Thank you, I cant wait to get there.. i miss L.I. quite a bit.

XxNYIxX

Big whoop. You're really reaching for things to complain about.
- eichiefs9

Not reaching at all..........just typical Islander cheap b.s.

Its not about that...........ANYONE is replaceable. This team is about rebuilding, and growing from within. Martin is home grown......he's part of the core.
- kindlyrick

XxNYIxX

Ummm they did!
- kindlyrick

Smyth wasn't staying here no matter what he was offered (and that was 5 years ago). And Parenteau was looking for his one and only payday - got way more than he was worth. I don't count either of them. I count guys like Nabakov, Okposo, Neilson, Moulson.

Actually, as an independant in this discussion; some times throwing a hit is a bad thing. It can take you out of a play and leave you in a very poor defensive position. Timely hits is the stat that I would like to lead my team in. That and power play time..

just sayin, great to throw the hits, but in his 10-11 minutes a game, seems like that is all he is getting done, with those hits, how bad is his +/-?

Not reaching at all..........just typical Islander cheap b.s.
- kindlyrick

False.

what are you talking about?????? You're saying they will sign him and i agree. But its typical islander cheap b.s. This guy should have been signed at the end of the season. Period.
- kindlyrick

First off, I love Matty for what he does. And he does it well. Would love to see him on the team for years to come. He's the type of player every winning team needs.

HOWEVER, what if he was the key to a trade(hypothetically-cause we know Garth can't trade) and the Isles had worked out his new contract for 3-4 yrs @ $1.4M/yr.
Having him signed makes him less attractive to the other side, so it WAS smart to wait until they HAD to make a QO, in the event some other GM lost his marbles and offered Garth a deal he thought was fair.

He's NOT JT or Travis or Strome. Hell, Frans was making $550,000 for the last 3 years. He was practically the lowest paid member in the entire system-including B'port- so while you may think they're cheap, it's just business. It was no insult to Matt, just business. Don't worry. MM has an agent. He'll be making more than most every person on this blog come October and crushing opponents accordingly.

False.
- eichiefs9

No wonder this has been going on so long,

It was a True /False question...

No wonder this has been going on so long,

It was a True /False question...
- bixll

False.
- eichiefs9

I almost hope that Martin holds out......

Actually, as an independant in this discussion; some times throwing a hit is a bad thing. It can take you out of a play and leave you in a very poor defensive position. Timely hits is the stat that I would like to lead my team in. That and power play time..

just sayin, great to throw the hits, but in his 10-11 minutes a game, seems like that is all he is getting done, with those hits, how bad is his +/-?
- bixll

It can also cause injury. To yourself. Just ask Nino. And Sim.
But if done proper....no can defend.

First off, I love Matty for what he does. And he does it well. Would love to see him on the team for years to come. He's the type of player every winning team needs.

HOWEVER, what if he was the key to a trade(hypothetically-cause we know Garth can't trade) and the Isles had worked out his new contract for 3-4 yrs @ $1.4M/yr.
Having him signed makes him less attractive to the other side, so it WAS smart to wait until they HAD to make a QO, in the event some other GM lost his marbles and offered Garth a deal he thought was fair.

He's NOT JT or Travis or Strome. Hell, Frans was making $550,000 for the last 3 years. He was practically the lowest paid member in the entire system-including B'port- so while you may think they're cheap, it's just business. It was no insult to Matt, just business. Don't worry. MM has an agent. He'll be making more than most every person on this blog come October and crushing opponents accordingly.
- jmo16

Good point, but is 1.4 really going to be an issue for any team?? Prob not

It can also cause injury. To yourself. Just ask Nino. And Sim.
But if done proper....no can defend.
- jmo16

I was looking at that scar on his knee the other night..looked innocent but, not so much.