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

By Neal DeRosa

Jan 31, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars defenseman Stephen Johns (28) checks Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Matt Martin (15) during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars defenseman Stephen Johns (28) checks Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Matt Martin (15) during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 15, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ryan Murray (27) defends against Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Matt Martin (15) in front of Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Joonas Korpisalo (70) in the first period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ryan Murray (27) defends against Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Matt Martin (15) in front of Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Joonas Korpisalo (70) in the first period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

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

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