Not many professional athletes embody the concept of being a good soldier like Matt Martin.
The veteran New York Islanders forward has carved out a 16-year NHL career toeing the line of physicality that so many wanna-be tough guys cannot balance. The 35-year-old was a piece of what became a holy triumvirate on Long Island, providing the grit and tenacity necessary alongside Cal Clutterbuck and Casey Cizikas for nearly a decade to create what was deemed by many as the best fourth line in all of hockey.
He never lit up the scoresheet — he reached 10 goals just once in his career and that came in 2015-16. As one of just eight Islanders with 850 games played (853), his 157 points rank 66th. But his 3,930 career hits rank second all-time in NHL history, providing a ceaseless engine for a franchise that was at first one of the worst in the league upon his arrival, stuck in limbo even as their prospects improved, though they could not find a long-term home, then let him walk in free agency to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2016 only to trade for him two years later.
Martin has been through more than most, which makes the prospect of Tuesday night against the Washington Capitals at UBS Arena all the more sobering. The Islanders’ final home game of the 2024-25 season could very well be his last with the franchise.
“This is a special place,” an emotional Martin said before taking a moment to gather himself. “I’ve been so proud to wear this jersey and be a part of this team and community.”
With his contract up at the end of the season, which is Thursday after the Islanders were eliminated from the playoffs, all signs point to Martin’s career on Long Island ending. He was used sporadically by head coach Patrick Roy for all of 30 games this year prior to Tuesday but remained a locker-room glue guy who didn’t let his playing time impact his outlook on the game.
“I haven’t seen a guy be so passionate about the game, loving the game,” Roy said of Martin. “I know whatever decision he makes, he’ll remain in the game of hockey. You could tell how much he loves the game. Not playing, he was talking to the players, he had a great attitude about the situation and I’m happy to see him playing. Even the players, they respect him so much and they have so much love for him.”
There are not many greater displays of that love than what Kyle Palmieri did, which was giving his alternate captain’s “A” for Martin to wear on his chest while getting the nod to start Tuesday night’s game.
“At least we know we’ve done things the right way,” Roy added.
The Islanders will certainly do the right thing in the years to come, too. General manager Lou Lamoriello has often been up-front about his plans and will likely do just that for Martin. Whether he signs elsewhere or ultimately calls it a career, it would be safe to make the assumption that the bruising winger will find his way back to the franchise in one way or another.
“Obviously don’t know what the future holds, but through the good and the bad, the heartbreaks, all of it, it’s always been a pleasure to be a part of this team and wear this uniform,” Martin said.
