Veteran Matt Martin waits to find out his fate with Islanders
Matt Martin at the Islanders training camp. Credit: Morgan Campbell
Matt Martin really doesn’t know what’s next.
Patrick Roy said Friday night’s fourth preseason game, a 5-1 win over the Devils at UBS Arena, would be the last for evaluating players without NHL experience or who didn’t have a realistic chance to make the Islanders out of training camp. The coach wants to dress as close to his opening night lineup as possible in the final two preseason games, starting Monday against the visiting Flyers.
Martin, the longtime fourth-line left wing who has spent 13 of his 15 NHL seasons with the Islanders as their de facto enforcer, is in training camp on a professional tryout offer after not attracting a contract this offseason as an unrestricted free agent.
“I didn’t see that earlier,” Martin said of Roy’s comment. “I’m just taking it day by day. I imagine if they said they’re going to start making those decisions, I’ll meet with them at some point over the next day or so.”
The Islanders were off on Saturday — their first day off the ice since training camp opened on Sept. 19 — as Roy said he and president/general manager Lou Lamoriello would meet to discuss roster options.
Martin can continue practicing with the Islanders on a PTO even past the start of the regular season on Oct. 10 against Utah at UBS Arena.
He was asked after logging 12:55 with one shot and two blocked shots against the Devils, Martin’s second preseason game, whether he would consider that option if no contract is forthcoming.
“Listen, I think all things are worth consideration,” Martin said. “I don’t really know what to tell you at this moment because Patty said that this morning and I honestly didn’t see it at all. For me, I’ve had a pretty open communication line with the staff here over the years and I’m sure we’ll continue to have that. We’ll see what happens here in the next little while.”
Martin, 35, is 45 games shy of reaching the 1,000-game milestone and has 81 goals, 95 assists and 1,158 penalty minutes. His 3,854 career hits is second all-time in the NHL — the statistic only dates to 2005-06 — behind former longtime linemate Cal Clutterbuck (4,029), who remains a UFA and will not be returning to the Islanders.
Martin had four goals and four assists in 57 games last season and while still game and willing to protect teammates, it does not appear he fits into the Islanders’ plans as an everyday player.
But he could be solid insurance if the Islanders encounter injury issues at any point this season.
“I thought he was OK,” Roy said after Friday’s game about Martin’s performance as he skated with Casey Cizikas and Oliver Wahlstrom. “He did what he had to do. Marty is Marty. A smart guy. He plays a solid, 200-foot game. I thought he did a good job.”
There was a chance that Friday marked Martin’s last time in an Islanders’ jersey. Or not.
Because what’s next is still to be determined.
First cuts
The Islanders did not announce official cuts on Saturday but 20 players were no longer listed on the NHL website from the initial 57-man training camp roster:
Forwards: Cole Bardreau, William Dufour, Justin Gill, Alex Jeffries, Eetu Liukas, Matthew Maggio, Jesse Nurmi, Riley Piercey, Brian Pinho, Jack Randl and Cam Thiesing.
Defensemen: Aidan Fulp, Isaiah George, Christian Krygier, Artyom Kudashov, Travis Mitchell, Wyatt Newpower, Calle Odelius and Marshall Warren.
Goalie: Henrik Tikkanen.
From the pod
Ever since Bo Horvat arrived via trade from the Canucks on Jan. 31, 2023, he and linemate Mathew Barzal have fielded endless questions about craving continuity with who plays left wing with them on the top line. Horvat addressed that subject again in Episode 193 of Island Ice, Newsday’s Islanders’ podcast, in discussing Anthony Duclair. The speedy Duclair signed a four-year, $14 million deal ostensibly to fill that role and the trio has been together since the start of training camp.
“A lot of teams just have so much success when you can lock in, especially their top six and who’s going to play there and building that chemistry right from the get-go,” Horvat said. “So it’s nice to be able to play with these guys right from the start.”
Cizikas' building blocks
It’s only logical veterans are able to pace themselves better through training camp than younger players, who often try to do everything at once.
“I guess that’s the perfect way to describe it,” said center Casey Cizikas, entering his 14th NHL season, all with the Islanders. “You know what to expect each year. You know what you need to do right throughout the summer, throughout training camp to get yourself ready and that only comes from experience.
“Every game you want to focus on key things. Everybody’s different. For me, in the first [preseason] game I want to focus on getting my timing right in the faceoff circle. I want to get my timing right in the defensive zone supporting the defensemen, supporting the wingers and trying to create offense off the forecheck. You can try to build from that each game and get back into so that when the season does start you’re in full force.”
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.