Panthers @ Leafs - Oct. 27th, 7:30pm - TSN4, Fan 590

[McGarnagle]

we need Martin's physicality in the lineup to do just what he did last night for Marner.

What did he actually do though?

He went after Petrovic.  He doesn't have to fight but as long as he puts it into the opposing team's head not to mess with our star guys, that's enough.  It's not always what you do.  Also, he goes out and bangs people a lot.

Except an enforcer never seems to be a deterrent in real life, and in today's game, all you end up with is an instigating penalty.

 

[jonlleafs]

He went after Petrovic.  He doesn't have to fight but as long as he puts it into the opposing team's head not to mess with our star guys, that's enough.  It's not always what you do.  Also, he goes out and bangs people a lot. 

But, Petrovic DID got after one of our star guys.

He didn't do that after Martin gave him notice.  That's what I was saying.  My point is, you think it's bad now?  Wait till you remove Martin out of the lineup.  The other team looks over and sees no protection for the Leafs and it will be open season on Marner, Nylander, and Matthews.

 

[Kin]

For what it's worth through these first few games with Martin in the lineup I really haven't seen a significant difference in the way opposing teams "go after" someone like Marner and Matthews then, say, what went on with Nylander last year.

 

[jonlleafs]

For what it's worth through these first few games with Martin in the lineup I really haven't seen a significant difference in the way opposing teams "go after" someone like Marner and Matthews then, say, what went on with Nylander last year.

Yeah but Nylander came up when the Leafs were already out of the playoffs.  The other team probably didn't care so much

 

[Kin]

Yeah but Nylander came up when the Leafs were already out of the playoffs.  The other team probably didn't care so much

Admittedly I'm no sports psychologist but I'd figure most opponents would weight how much they care about a given game or stopping an opposing player based on where they were in the standings, not where the Leafs were.

 

[wnc096]

He tried to goad Petrovic into confrontation a couple of times after the D-man smushed Marner. Other than that, he skated the puck up the ice (straight) with regularity and helped keep it hemmed in the OZ for a small stretch with zero threat to score.

I don't hate him. He's just in the way of better options.

What are your expectations of a 4th line player?  Martin can skate well, he hits and sticks up for teammates when he has to.  That's what a 4th line player is supposed to do.  Like it or not he's part of this team for the next 4 yrs.  Plus this team needs experienced guys like him,  you can't ice an entire team of  only 19-25 yr olds

 

[Kin]

Plus this team needs experienced guys like him,  you can't ice an entire team of  only 19-25 yr olds

This opinion was brought up at various points in the summer and while I never did a deep dive on it, and while I realize this was not a typical group and the product of a different era, people need to look at the ages of some of the early 80's Oilers teams.

 

[herman]

He tried to goad Petrovic into confrontation a couple of times after the D-man smushed Marner. Other than that, he skated the puck up the ice (straight) with regularity and helped keep it hemmed in the OZ for a small stretch with zero threat to score.

I don't hate him. He's just in the way of better options.

What are your expectations of a 4th line player?  Martin can skate well, he hits and sticks up for teammates when he has to.  That's what a 4th line player is supposed to do.  Like it or not he's part of this team for the next 4 yrs.  Plus this team needs experienced guys like him,  you can't ice an entire team of  only 19-25 yr olds

Have I been unreasonable in my disappointment with signing and playing Martin?

Here's a guy who plays adequate 4th line minutes for 2.5 M over 4 years. We could be getting adequate 4th line minutes + actual offensive potential from a good handful of internal players (see list above) for none of that cost.

What value does fighting have in the playoffs?

 

[Tigger]

He tried to goad Petrovic into confrontation a couple of times after the D-man smushed Marner. Other than that, he skated the puck up the ice (straight) with regularity and helped keep it hemmed in the OZ for a small stretch with zero threat to score.

I don't hate him. He's just in the way of better options.

What are your expectations of a 4th line player?  Martin can skate well, he hits and sticks up for teammates when he has to.  That's what a 4th line player is supposed to do.  Like it or not he's part of this team for the next 4 yrs.  Plus this team needs experienced guys like him,  you can't ice an entire team of  only 19-25 yr olds

Have I been unreasonable in my disappointment with signing and playing Martin?

Here's a guy who plays adequate 4th line minutes for 2.5 M over 4 years. We could be getting adequate 4th line minutes + actual offensive potential from a good handful of internal players (see list above) for none of that cost.

What value does fighting have in the playoffs?

I don't think I'd say unreasonable, but I noted in another thread that Martin's contract, the bonus structure, makes it pretty moveable and I don't think it was unfair of the Leafs to want some muscle and experience to help the kids now.

 

[bustaheims]

He went after Petrovic.  He doesn't have to fight but as long as he puts it into the opposing team's head not to mess with our star guys, that's enough.  It's not always what you do.  Also, he goes out and bangs people a lot.

There isn't, nor has there ever been, any actual objective evidence to support this argument. In fact, when some people looked into it a few years ago, they found injuries were more likely to occur in games where players were dressed for their supposed intimidation factor than games when they weren't.

 

[LuncheonMeat]

Coach: I need you to go out and shut down their top player. Finish your checks and take away space.

Player: But coach, Matt Martin will get me.  :-[

 

[caver]

I don't know how much of a deterrent the punchers are... but i think the home crowd likes to see a response when someone goes after one of their guys...