Toronto Maple Leafs: Is Matt Martin Needed For The Last Fourteen Games?

Despite Tuesday nights thrashing, the Toronto Maple Leafs are currently one point behind both the New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning.

However, with one game in hand, the Toronto Maple Leafs are still very much in control of their own destiny.

Every single shift can carry a major impact at this time in the season, and an extra goal can become a difference maker. With this in mind, you start to wonder if the offensively challenged Matt Martin is worth keeping in the lineup.

With the Islanders he was apart of what Don Cherry called “the best fourth line in hockey“. Matt Martin, Casey Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck made up a scary line for the opposition. Since joining the Leafs, it hasn’t felt like Martin has made the same impact.

In the Maple Leafs’ system, Matt Martin was brought onto the team in order to:

1. Suppress shots while starting a majority of face-offs in the defensive zone
2. Bring toughness, protection and leadership to a young group
3. Kill penalties
4. Chip in offensively lower in the lineup

In this article I will analyze whether Matt Martin has succeeded in each of these above criterion. In addition, I will look at whether his contribution in each is needed as the Leafs look to squeeze into a playoff spot.

Shot Suppression & Defensive Zone Starts. 

Has Martin succeeded thus far? 

Despite playing the majority of the season with defensive black holes, Ben Smith and Frederik Gauthier, Martin has done a great job. In fact, he boasts the best numbers on the team in terms of shot attempts against plus the numbers show that he carried Smith and Gauthier both in terms of shot and goal suppression. The WOWY’s for Smith are specifically noticeable, as Smith has allowed 1.41 goals against per 60 minutes with Martin on the ice, but 4.71 goals without him.

In addition, he has started 38.3% of all situation 5v5 faceoffs in his own end with only 19.2% in the offensive zone. Safe to say, Babcock and company should to be happy with Martin’s defensive work thus far this season.

Answer: Yes

Is this needed for the rest of the season

Of course it is. If Martin does stay in the lineup down the stretch, this aspect of his game will be welcomed and should continue to help the Maple Leafs.

Toughness and Leadership 

Has Martin succeeded thus far?

Hockey fans constantly debate the value of intangibles, yet the extent that toughness affects team success remains to be seen. For those who believe a strong physical game is key to success, it is worth noting that Martin’s hit totals have decreased from past years.

Martin averaged 4.5 hits per game with the Islanders last season, but this total has decreased to 3.7 in Toronto. The main question becomes: are these hits separating his opponent from the puck?

From my observation, many of these hits come after the opposing team has successfully moved the puck up the ice. Since Martin is not an asset in terms of zone entries, his line often relies on the dump and chase which is where Martin’s hit totals increase.

In addition, he was brought in to “protect” our young talent. He has fought 11 times this season, but these fights are almost never because of a bad hit on Matthews, Nylander, or Marner. Brian Boyle provides the Leafs with another big player who can step up for his teammates, and this acquisition could come in handy if Babcock elects to replace Martin down the stretch.

When looking at his leadership, one cannot really argue that he has benefitted the team. He seems to get along with the rookies very well and his bromance with Marner is well documented. In addition, Babcock constantly raves about his presence in the locker room.

Answer: Yes

Is this needed for the rest of season? 

Although Babcock loves his presence, the Maple Leafs need points in the next 14 games. Martin does not need to throw unnecessary hits plus he can be a strong mentor in the dressing room without actually playing. Do the games get more heated and physical down the stretch? Of course, but the Leafs need to win hockey games not scrums.

Chipping in Offensively 

Has Martin succeeded here? 

Prior to this season, Martin had a relatively respectable goal-scoring resume with 0.60 5v5 goals per 60 over the past three years. Unfortunately, his production has dropped this season to 0.43 G/60 and 0.64 P/60. Some of this could be due poor centermen to play with but one cannot feel too bad for him in this category due to his personal inability to create scoring chances.

Answer: No.

Is this needed for the rest of the season? 

This is where I think the Leafs need an improvement. Ever since the Leafs traded for Boyle, the Leafs’ fourth line has spent many shifts in the other teams’ zone. During these times, Martin’s narrow offensive skill-set has been exposed more than ever.

As mentioned earlier, Martin’s skill-set is harming the fourth line’s ability to gain the zone. It is far easier to create scoring chances when carrying the puck in rather than dumping it into the zone. Far too many times, the line is forced to dump the puck in and try to gain the puck back with their forecheck.

If this line continues to generate scoring opportunities, they might want to look for a better option to convert these chances.

The Verdict

Martin has come as advertised this season, and it’s awesome to see him making an impact off the ice. With that being said, the Maple Leafs are desperate for a winning streak, yet Josh Leivo is sitting in the press box. As one of the better scoring threats on the team, Leivo would add a much-needed scoring component to the fourth line. In addition, he has good shot suppression numbers this season (small sample of 99.65 mins 5v5) and his size would also form a large tandem with Boyle.

At times, Soshnikov has looked like a one man show in the offensive zone and needs a winger to play with. Leivo being put onto this line would allow Babcock to role four lines with ease and gives the team the boost it needs.

Young talent has carried this team all season, and with 14 games left to go, it is time for Mike Babcock to show more trust in Josh Leivo. Since Martin has never hit 20 points in a season, there are better options to help the Leafs on the scoreboard.

What do you think? Is Martin useful to the Leafs down the stretch? Do we need his physicality and leadership? Is there a better choice other than Leivo to fill in Martin’s spot? Comment below! 

For more analysis and tweets regarding the Toronto Maple Leafs, follow @NickDes52 on twitter! 

All statistics taken from corsica.hockey and stats.hockeyanalysis.com