Toronto Maple Leafs: Is Matt Martin Manhattan Bound?

The Toronto Maple Leafs need to trade Matt Martin.

Editor’s Update:

This post was published just before it was announced the Toronto Maple Leafs traded Matt Martin to the Islanders for goalie Eamon McAdam.  We will have more analysis of the this trade soon.

Thanks.

Martin has been a strong soldier for Mike Babcock and the Toronto Maple Leafs, but it’s time to move on. Before I go on, I mean no disrespect to Martin. He’s been nothing but a true warrior since joining the organization. Unfortunately, this is a business and at times players get relocated.

Since joining the Toronto Maple Leafs, Martin has appeared in 132 games. He’s tallied 8 goals, 13 assists, 173 PIM, 447 hits and 35 blocks.

The issue is that his playing time has resulted in some difficult decisions for Babcock and the coaching staff. When Martin plays, Babcock has to sit talented forwards who arguably can be of more use in all three areas of the ice. Babcock has sat forwards including Josh Leivo, Andreas Johnsson and Kasperi Kapanen just to play Martin. Sometimes it makes sense, but in most cases it doesn’t. Playing Martin has led to issues in the locker room and players wanting to leave the organization.

Not only is there an issue of players being benched when Martin plays, but now the Toronto Maple Leafs need to shed salary. At this very moment, the Maple Leafs have 13 million USD in cap space without factoring in Nathan Horton‘s salary. Horton’s salary will most likely be buried yet again on LITR. So, the Maple Leafs have roughly 18 million USD to play with.

If Kyle Dubas moves Matt Martin, the Maple Leafs will have another 2.5 million USD at their disposal. This will allow Dubas to give a decent chunk of change to RFA, William Nylander. In addition, he’ll have space to send extensions to Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.

Plus, he’ll have left over space to go attract another defenseman. All-in-all, Martin needs to get moved to make the Maple Leafs stronger.

Martin to NYR?

Per an article from Larry Brooks of the New York Post, the New York Rangers have reached out to the Toronto Maple Leafs about Martin.

This makes a ton of sense. The Rangers were looking at getting bigger and tougher on their fourth line. They were previously looking at bringing Vegas Golden Knights forward, Ryan Reaves to town and former Toronto Maple Leafs forward, Leo Komarov to town. With Komarov joining the New York Islanders and Reaves staying put, the Rangers need to look elsewhere.

The Rangers have a ton of salary space as well, so they definitely could afford to take on Martin’s salary. In addition, the Rangers have all of their late round draft picks. So, the Rangers could potentially offer up a fifth or sixth round pick for Martin.

Next: Top Ten Prospects Part 1

All-in-all, this makes a ton of sense for both organizations. The Toronto Maple Leafs can get some cap relief and the Rangers get more physical. It’s a win-win for both clubs. Hopefully, Dubas and Jeff Gorton, the general manager for the Rangers can come to an agreement shortly.

stats from NHL.com and hockey-reference.com, research from capfriendly.com