What about Paul Martin...

by Eric B on Jun 30, 2010 12:12 PM CDT

Originally cross posted at Goon's World. NHL Fanhouse blogger Bruce Ciskie has an interesting blog post about former Gopher Paul Martin and his free agency status. You would have to wonder if the Minnesota Wild wouldn’t entertain signing him to appease the State of Hockey. What do you think? Would he fit into the Wild’s plans? The Minnesota Wild need two top-nine forwards and have $11.5 million in free cap space to spend. The Minnesota Wild have 19 players signed so far.

Martin doesn't throw vicious checks, but he's still effective in his own zone. When the puck is on his stick, he makes smart, effective passes and has very little panic when faced with forecheck pressure. He isn't a high-scoring defenseman like Gonchar is, but he'll still make a good fixture on a team's second power play unit, and he is capable of 50 points over a full season if he's in the right system and can stay healthy.

He's a good player, and he isn't likely to cost an arm and a leg. Where's the love?

Perhaps Martin isn't considered an elite player, which makes perfect sense. Of course, then it makes no sense to have teams practically salivating over Hamhuis, who is virtually the same player minus a pretty serious injury this past season. Does Martin's rough contract year mean the Devils have the inside track on signing him because he's not a desirable player?

In the grand scheme of things, it seems Martin is being penalized because he broke his forearm blocking a shot -- a totally freak accident that is not a recurring injury. This isn't Marian Gaborik's groin. It's a broken bone suffered in a situation that is highly unlikely to ever repeat itself.

Outside of that, he's been a very steady player for a very good team for a number of years. Martin's exploits go all the way back to high school in Elk River, Minn., when he was one of the best players in a hockey-centric state. He was then a major part of two Minnesota Gopher national championship teams.

ShareHis consistency should get him some bites in free agency, assuming he's interested in leaving New Jersey. If a team like Phoenix, Atlanta, Minnesota or Toronto come calling with the right deal, it's going to be hard for Martin to say "no," regardless of where his NHL loyalties lie now. He can help those teams with his steady defensive hand, combined with his underrated puck skills on the power play.

The opinions posted here are not those of Hockey Wilderness

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yes!

Paul Martin would be an awesome addition to the Wild team.
He has been one of New Jerseys best D for the last couple years.
he’s a Smart player positonally.. great skater.. good with the puck..
:) sign him

by old time hockey guy on Jun 30, 2010 1:03 PM CDT reply actions

Can we even afford him?

by danccchan on Jun 30, 2010 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions

yeah,, that seems to be the question..
figuring out the cap..
who to sign.. how much $ do we have,,
like see Guillame signed for sure..
Martin would instantly be one of our best D on the team….

by old time hockey guy on Jun 30, 2010 1:23 PM CDT reply actions

Zidlicky – $4 million
Burns – $3.55 million
Schultz – $3.5 million
Barker $3.083 Million
Zanon $1.933 million

Stoner also on a one-way deal. This gives them six d-men. I find it difficult to think that they want Stoner to be the seventh d-man, but it is not unfathomable. Martin made $3.833 million last year, and at 29, he is likely looking for at least a small raise.

Do you want the Wild to commit that $4 million to yet another defenseman, or do you want them to commit it to a forward? That’s the only question that needs to be answered. Martin is going to sign somewhere, and likely for around $4 million per. Hamhuis is going to get his 5 -6, though I am not quite sure why.

For my money, they need to focus on the forwards. They have plenty of defense, and need to take looks at the prospects, too. Signing Martin puts too much money on the blueline.

Hockey Wilderness
Assistant Editor:SBN Minnesota

Rule #17: You may not impersonate representatives of Hockey Wilderness and handout NHL themed wrist bands.

by BReynolds on Jun 30, 2010 1:52 PM CDT reply actions

I was thinking they would go after him if they decided to trade Burns… They only have 11.5 left.

by Eric B on Jun 30, 2010 2:04 PM CDT reply actions

With Stoner that is only 6 good defensemen.

by Eric B on Jun 30, 2010 2:05 PM CDT reply actions

sorry clicked the wrong thing

by old time hockey guy on Jun 30, 2010 2:45 PM CDT up reply actions

My choice...

Brett Lebda. Good puck moving guy, but only made around 650k with the Wings. Would be a good choice for a depth dman

by danccchan on Jun 30, 2010 2:13 PM CDT reply actions

Lebda is a good hockey player..
as good as Zidlicky…
man.. i cant believe these guys make this much money
4 mill? he’s not even that good…
zanon almost 2 mil…
I’m sorry… but the guy is practically a nobody.. and getting 1.9 mil..
geez..
whats next a 4th line center on the checking line getting 5 mil??
at that point I’ll go back to focusing on amateur hockey
high school and college hockey is more fun to watch anyways..
and they have a band in the student section!

by old time hockey guy on Jun 30, 2010 2:26 PM CDT reply actions

I know you didn't say Zanon was a nobody...

Did you even see him play this year? He’s been an absolute hero for this team. You can’t always look at the score sheet you know…

JS, Champion of the first ever Hockey Wilderness Playoff Bracket Challenge! WHOOOOOOOO!

twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Jul 3, 2010 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions

Hey.. we need a forward right?
do we let Burns play the wing this year?
he is a great skater and good with the puck..
he’s got moves..

Hey.. we need a forward right?
do we let Burns play the wing this year?
he is a great skater and good with the puck..
he’s got moves..chicago sucessfully converted Byfuglien from D to forward…
turned out well for them…

by old time hockey guy on Jun 30, 2010 2:41 PM CDT reply actions

And it was a disaster when Lemaire moved him up on the Wing. Destroyed the kid’s confidence, stole a year of development from him, and messed him up mentally. He still is having issues not knowing where to be on the ice. He is not a wing, has never been a wing, will never be a wing. Byfuglien played multiple positions his entire career, Burns has not.

Hockey Wilderness
Assistant Editor:SBN Minnesota

Rule #17: You may not impersonate representatives of Hockey Wilderness and handout NHL themed wrist bands.

by BReynolds on Jul 1, 2010 9:24 AM CDT up reply actions

I just thought he might think its fun scoring some goals…

by old time hockey guy on Jul 1, 2010 9:44 AM CDT up reply actions

You can't just think about your own production...

You have to think about what’s best for the team… Just because it’s fun to score goals doesn’t mean he fits in a forward position

JS, Champion of the first ever Hockey Wilderness Playoff Bracket Challenge! WHOOOOOOOO!

twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Jul 3, 2010 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions

I like Martin, but ...

Erik Johnson is younger and cheaper with a bigger upside. I’d push for him hard.

Proprietor of Hockey Wilderness - We take Minnesota hockey WAY too seriously.

by nathaneide on Jun 30, 2010 2:53 PM CDT reply actions

I would rather have Martin, Johnson is one of the softest 6’4" 230 pound defenseman I have ever seen…

by Eric B on Jun 30, 2010 4:54 PM CDT up reply actions

Martin is 29, Johnson is 22. Major difference in that Johnson can still mature into a top pairing guy. Martin has hit his peak. Johnson has the strength to be a shut-down guy, and will come much cheaper.

Proprietor of Hockey Wilderness - We take Minnesota hockey WAY too seriously.

by nathaneide on Jun 30, 2010 8:46 PM CDT up reply actions

You’re just going to have put me in the category of not a fan of Erik Johnson… I just haven’t bought into all of the hype…

by Eric B on Jul 1, 2010 8:48 AM CDT up reply actions

I;d love to see Erik Johnson with the Wild..
but…..
st louie would never let Erik get away..
they know what they have.. it would take 2- #1 picks to get him…
with Backes & Oshie, and future Max Gardiner
they have a pretty good team.

by old time hockey guy on Jun 30, 2010 3:02 PM CDT reply actions

The only reason Martin should ever be signed onto the Wild’s roster is if Burns or Barker are shipped out. I can’t imagine having 5 d-men being paid more than 3 mil.

by ADN on Jun 30, 2010 4:23 PM CDT reply actions

would u be willing to play Burns at Forward?

by old time hockey guy on Jun 30, 2010 4:45 PM CDT up reply actions

I think Burns is going to get traded before the beginning of the season.

by Eric B on Jun 30, 2010 5:03 PM CDT up reply actions

I think that instead of risking Burns at forward, the Wild should trade him for a legitimate, established 2nd line center. The wild would probably have to package Burns, but still.

And I agree Eric, it’d be best for both sides if Burns got traded out of here. I’d hate to see it, but he needs a second chance at another organization and the Wild would see a good return for him.

by ADN on Jun 30, 2010 9:06 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree that Burns needs a new start… I also think his upside is really good…

by Eric B on Jul 1, 2010 8:46 AM CDT up reply actions

He definately has the offensive skills..
shoots a rocket shot and a good skater

by old time hockey guy on Jun 30, 2010 4:47 PM CDT reply actions

ya gotta give up on

convertin Burns to wing. its been done too many times in hte past by jauque when HWSRN kept epicly failing to find forwards for us. Burns is a top line defensemen but only a mediocre forward.

Will the Real Thor Please Stand Up ... ?

by the Real Thor on Jul 1, 2010 9:05 AM CDT up reply actions

Burns is one of my favorite Wild players….
There was a time when he was one the best guys on the ice for us..
I remember seeing him fight a guy when he first came up..
he pounded the snot out of the guy..
but..I dont understand these grown men having confidence issues about where they play..
position wise or the team they play for.. its only a game!
try being a Marine in Iraq.. now theres something that might make a guy nervous..

by old time hockey guy on Jul 1, 2010 9:53 AM CDT reply actions

Martin was signed by the Pens and will play on the same team as Alex Goligoski.

by Eric B on Jul 1, 2010 1:39 PM CDT reply actions

According to NHL website pens signed Zbynek Michalek.
and gonchar went to ottawa.. didnt see anything on Paul Martin.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=533377

by old time hockey guy on Jul 1, 2010 1:47 PM CDT reply actions