Toronto Maple Leafs Player Preview: Matt Martin
By Tim Chiasson
When the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Matt Martin they wanted a player to bring physicality and leadership to the team.
The Toronto Maple Leafs, as Babcock put it, wanted a player to “keep the flies off our younger guys”. Well, they’re going to get a player that’s physical, but the flies will still be around – just like they are for every team.
There’s a misconception that hits automatically generate turnovers and lead to more possession, which can be looked at from the Los Angeles Kings from this past year. That’s generally not the case. It’s easy to look quickly, but looking deeper you can use the Chicago Blackhawks as an example each year they won the Stanley Cup.
You can also just look at the 2015-2016 Toronto Maple Leafs and how hitting affected their season in the win column. Here’s a cut from an earlier article on physicality:
"“Of the 82 games the Toronto Maple Leafs played they had a higher SAC than their opposition in 41 of the games. In those 41 games, they had a higher SAC while laying an even or lower amount of hits in 25 of them. That means that in 61% of the games the Toronto Maple Leafs had a higher score-adjusted Corsi percentage, they didn’t out-hit their opponent.So much for the Bay Street Bullies. Only 39% of the time did they out-hit (or match hit) their opponent while having better possession metrics.So, when Joel Quenneville – the 3-time Stanley Cup winning coach – says he doesn’t care about being hit 70 times a game, there’s a good reason for it. That reason is possession and possession wins more often than not, as evidence by Coach Q and the modern dynasty Blackhawks.” (Editor In Leaf)"
If it’s an uptick in possession you’re looking for with Matt Martin, you’re likely going to be disappointed.
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What Martin will bring to the team is more hits – that’s undeniable. He’s a physical presence on the ice that doesn’t avoid dropping the mitts when he has to.
Martin’s biggest asset is his shot suppression numbers. He’s tremendous in that category, which is exactly what you want from a fourth line player.
Martin, though, isn’t likely to patrol the fourth line for the Toronto Maple Leafs. That’s the unfortunate situation the Leafs are in. Because of his physical game and imaginary deterrence he provides, he’s gained a reputation as a valuable player – valuable as in more so than a player with third line skill, but isn’t as physical.
If Matt Martin plays with Auston Matthews it may seem like he’s protecting the Leafs biggest draw, but in reality he’s holding him back offensively.
Martin has a career shooting percentage of 7.5% and has exceeded 14 points only once in six full NHL seasons. He’s a prototypical fourth line grinder.
If Martin is going to be valued by the Toronto Maple Leafs he’s going to have to hone in on Mike Babcock’s system and figure out how to be a good possession player. That might mean trying to tear his opponent’s head off less.
Next: Player Preview: Brooks Laich
The 2016-2017 season might be Matt Martin’s highest ice-time total in his four year deal and he’ll need to make the most of it by becoming a better overall hockey player.
Expectations for Matt Martin to hit 10 goals and 19 points should be the ceiling, with his 2014-2015 totals of eight goals, six assists, being a better target to shoot for.