LAS VEGAS — The value of a player like Matt Martin is sometimes more apparent when he's not in the lineup.
It was the same Tuesday against Colorado after Samuel Girard hit Robert Bortuzzo with a hit along the wall that got little response from the Islanders. Two days later, Martin quickly returned to action, having played five of seven games unharmed.
“I think I know what I bring to the table as a player,” Martin, 34, told the Post before Saturday's game against the Golden Knights. “I think I've been doing it for a long time. I think they also know what I bring as a player. So I just try to worry about those things and when your name is called, , just go out there and try to have a good game.”
Due to a combination of injuries and scrapes, Saturday was just the 18th game Martin has played this season. His time on the ice is also the lowest since returning to the Islanders in 2018.
On a team where Hudson Fassing has shown the perfect ability to play a straight game inside the bottom six, his spot in the lineup is no longer guaranteed every night.
But the physicality that Martin brings is still valuable.
That was evidenced not only when Martin was sidelined, but also when he returned in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Coyotes and rallied the Identity Line on a typically effective night. Ta.
The trio of Martin, Casey Cizikas, and Cal Clutterbuck is not the night-to-night machine it once was.
However, he has an expected goals percentage of 51.39 this season and has only appeared on the ice for two goals in 16 or more games.
It's not running on empty. Neither does Martin, whether he plays every night or not.
“Those decisions are ultimately outside of my control. I try not to focus too much on that,” Martin said. “I think as I've gotten older, I've gotten better at that. Obviously, I've had health issues many times throughout my career. Really, just try to focus on each day.
“Generally speaking, sooner or later the next opportunity will come. It is our responsibility as players to be ready for it. It is not easy, but keep your mind in the right place, keep preparing and be a good teammate.” and we must do the right thing. It's not easy. [to be scratched], You definitely want to avoid being left out of the lineup. You have to come back and do everything you can to make that impression. ”
The background surrounding Martin's role, coupled with the fact that he is 34 years old and in the final year of his contract, lends itself not only to attempts to compete for playing time, but also questions about his future.
There's a good chance this season will be the last for a player who spent 13 of his 15 seasons on Long Island and helped promote one of the best fourth lines in hockey.
Even with a two-year hiatus in Toronto, few players have been as synonymous with the Islanders over the past decade. Few people have been more integral to the team's resurgence, which began when Lou Lamoriello took over the reins in 2018 and brought Martin back from Toronto.
“I hadn't really thought about it until this point. Obviously people ask [about the future]” Martin said. “That is not all [reporters], even friends and family ask about it. But I don't know what I'll be like in 5 months. I'm focused on tonight and what we want to do as a team. Everything else will take care of itself when the time comes. ”
