Paul Martin

Paul Martin has been by far the worst Devils game the last ten games and he has not been progressing the way i expected him too. The only option i can see for him is to trade him for a second round pick while teams still see his value as high. IN my opinion he has been the biggest disappointment for me this year

29 teams would take him at this price !

Trade him and hope we can find someone with the skills and tenacity of Johnny Oduya. The Devils best defenseman this season IMO.

Man, I had some high, HIGH hopes for him. But he looks like absolute **** this year. Everything he does is average. Nothing stands out from his shooting, passing, or skating. And he does make some bad decisions. If only he never got that 2 mil.

I'd hate to give up on the guy, but he has looked hapless this year. And considering we really need to have someone more steady back there (dare I say...Matvichuk) he could be the man we trade to make it possible.

Oduya plays the way we all thought Martin would look by now. With Johnny O. here, Paul "does" become expendable.

Ever moreso, as Oduya will still sign for less next year when we keep him. Plus, we'll be seeing (IMO) Fraser & (do I even dare say this)...ahem...sign Mcgillis for about 1/3 his current rate & keep him as a vet next year?

Update to my wish list for a trade ~ Gomez, Martin & Ryznar for Craig Conroy, Brian Boyle & Richard Petiot.

Johnny O is going to be a key figure in the Devils organization in a few years. Depending on his leadership qualities on and off the ice, he seems like a good candidate for being a C or an A. Well, after Elias retires.

The one thing that I like about Paul's game is that I get to laugh everytime he gets the puck and does that stupid backhand shot or spin-o-rama move. It's rather amusing.

Wow,

For how much you all hop on and off the wagon throughout the season, yet still Praise Lou, I'd sure think you wouldn't be talking about Paul Martin's play when your D has given up the fewest goals in the Eastern Conference, and you are in 2nd place in your division. He must be doing something wrong? Learn to face the fact that your system doesn't allow him to play to his ability's.

Johnny O is going to be a key figure in the Devils organization in a few years. Depending on his leadership qualities on and off the ice, he seems like a good candidate for being a C or an A. Well, after Elias retires.

Loved Johnny O. from minute one, and have been "calling" his success since early in training camp, but let's not get ahead of ourselves with Mr. Oduya. He hasn't played a half of a season in the NHL. He is a long, long way from letters on his sweater (if ever).

And before we cannonize him as the greatest Devil D-man since Stevens, perhaps putting up more than 3 points in 31 games would be in order.

He has been a super solid, stoic and responsible presence, that rarely makes mistakes. He is a graceful skater and his puck moving skills are a major, major tease (someday hopefully soon he'll get his "coast to coast" goal for Sportscenter...)

But his shot is very suspect and weak, making him a hybrid "stay at home" D-man with a nice first pass/puck mover element thrown in. But not an "offensive defenseman" by any stretch of the definition (although we on these boards are trying hard to stretch the imagination on this point).

Right now, Brian Rafalski averages .612 points per game versus Oduya's measely .096.

Raffy is 6th best on the entire team in terms of production, equal to the rest of the D men combined (and ahead of Zajac, Madden and five other starting forwards) whereas Oduya is 16th best on the team, coming in 5th among our top 6 on D in point production (only Hale is less productive offensively with .000).

It is okay to love the guy (I sure do), but Brian Rafalski is our clear #1 and without him (or someone very much like him) we would be doomed.

Update to my wish list for a trade ~ Gomez, Martin & Ryznar for Craig Conroy, Brian Boyle & Richard Petiot.

I could see the Kings interested in those names, but the cap figures don't come close to working out.

Do you also realize that Petiot is recovering from a serious leg injury? I'd be a bit nervous about taking him until he's skating again.

Rafalski's shot isnt that great either. An NHL player can improve their shot with time as well. These days a slap shot from the blue is more important if it rebounds off the goalie then going in (since going in is hard for it to do).

So moving the puck, and being quick, is far more important these days.

Martin will bounce back. He's got the skill and the potential. Right now it just looks like the big thing he's lacking is confidence. He'll find his game again, just give him some time.

Paul Martin has been by far the worst Devils game the last ten games and he has not been progressing the way i expected him too. The only option i can see for him is to trade him for a second round pick while teams still see his value as high. IN my opinion he has been the biggest disappointment for me this year

Lol, the Devils can get much more than a 2nd rounder.

Martin will bounce back. He's got the skill and the potential. Right now it just looks like the big thing he's lacking is confidence. He'll find his game again, just give him some time.
I just don't think he's putting himself in the right position to find his game. He's playing waaaaay too tentatively. I mean if he was playing bad because he was too loose, taking too many risks, I think it would be easier for him to find his game. He just seems to have that "deer in the headlights" look way too often these days.

The only way I see him coming out of it is if we play a string of games against weaker teams and he either pots a goal or two, gets a couple of assists, just plain gets himself on the scoreboard.

I could see the Kings interested in those names, but the cap figures don't come close to working out.

Do you also realize that Petiot is recovering from a serious leg injury? I'd be a bit nervous about taking him until he's skating again.

Cap-wise for the Kings, to land Gomez & Martin would make them salivate & figure out a way to make it happen.

Yeah, I know about Petiot's injury, but because we are already deep on defense in our system, to wait it out & let him recover from his injury properly would be worth it for the Devils. The kid is going to be a stud down the road. To wait a year or two for both; recovery & learning our system...the Devils have that kind of patience. Hence, look at us & Adrian Foster.

To me, this is a viable trade. Especially since I doubt Gomez is coming back next year.

Wow,

For how much you all hop on and off the wagon throughout the season, yet still Praise Lou, I'd sure think you wouldn't be talking about Paul Martin's play when your D has given up the fewest goals in the Eastern Conference, and you are in 2nd place in your division. He must be doing something wrong? Learn to face the fact that your system doesn't allow him to play to his ability's.

And how many Devils games have you watched this year? The low GAPG is much more indicative of Brodeur, Julien and the teams commitment to the system than our D corps. Just because our team D is good, doesn’t mean improvements cant be made.

As for your other point -- Paul Martin has SUCKED this year. It has gotten to the point that every time he gets the puck I cringe; he has became a turnover machine. The tired 'stifling his game' cliché is moot in this instance.

I was always skeptical about that whole 'next Niedermayer' tag but this has gotten ridiculous. He has been our worst defenseman bar-none.

Cap-wise for the Kings, to land Gomez & Martin would make them salivate & figure out a way to make it happen.

Yeah, I know about Petiot's injury, but because we are already deep on defense in our system, to wait it out & let him recover from his injury properly would be worth it for the Devils. The kid is going to be a stud down the road. To wait a year or two for both; recovery & learning our system...the Devils have that kind of patience. Hence, look at us & Adrian Foster.

To me, this is a viable trade. Especially since I doubt Gomez is coming back next year.

It's not a viable trade at all since the Devils get much worse after it.

It's not a viable trade at all since the Devils get much worse after it.

Worse? Are you kidding me!?!

Martin has been replaced by Oduya. Conroy is an EXCELLENT player who would love to be on a winning team. Gomez has been spolied & will not be here come training camp in 2007.

Conroy may also be older, but a 2-3 years deal with him = playing time soon for either Bergs or Vrana.

Worse? Are you kidding me!?!

Martin has been replaced by Oduya. Conroy is an EXCELLENT player who would love to be on a winning team. Gomez has been spolied & will not be here come training camp in 2007.

Conroy may also be older, but a 2-3 years deal with him = playing time soon for either Bergs or Vrana.

Oduya is already on the team. Trading Martin away would be dealing away our #4 d-man who eats up 20+ minutes a night in all situations. As underwhelming as Martin has been this year, you can't just replace that easily. Our defense will become even more defficient offensively as well.

Conroy is not an excellent player. He is a good one whose skills are declining. He would be on the hook for next season as well. Gomez is a much better player than Conroy and that is a big downgrade.

The Devils get unequivocally worse with this trade.

Paul Martin is currently on pace for 18 points at a projected -26. He's having his worst year in the NHL this season by far. He's not helping the PP, not helping the team at even strength, and hasn't been all that effective on the PK as well. Huge step backwards for the Devils.

Lou never judges a player by a 1/2 season. You all know that.

Martin's play so far really does SUCK and I still don't understand why people want to get rid of Gomez ??? With the cap going up another 1.5/2M$ next year, Lou has the margin to make a deal for Scott, bring up Bergfors and possibly cut Brylin (hope not, but if that's what it takes to keep Gomez... then I'm in) if the $$$ is tight. I'm still hopefull that Paul will regain is solid play, but it needs to be sometime soon because I'm getting a little worried right now with him caughting the puck all the time (yesterday on Detroit's 1st goal).

just an idea, but what would need to be added from either side for a brewer-martin deal? i also dont know brewers pay/contract status

Loved Johnny O. from minute one, and have been "calling" his success since early in training camp, but let's not get ahead of ourselves with Mr. Oduya. He hasn't played a half of a season in the NHL. He is a long, long way from letters on his sweater (if ever).

And before we cannonize him as the greatest Devil D-man since Stevens, perhaps putting up more than 3 points in 31 games would be in order.

He has been a super solid, stoic and responsible presence, that rarely makes mistakes. He is a graceful skater and his puck moving skills are a major, major tease (someday hopefully soon he'll get his "coast to coast" goal for Sportscenter...)

But his shot is very suspect and weak, making him a hybrid "stay at home" D-man with a nice first pass/puck mover element thrown in. But not an "offensive defenseman" by any stretch of the definition (although we on these boards are trying hard to stretch the imagination on this point).

Right now, Brian Rafalski averages .612 points per game versus Oduya's measely .096.

Raffy is 6th best on the entire team in terms of production, equal to the rest of the D men combined (and ahead of Zajac, Madden and five other starting forwards) whereas Oduya is 16th best on the team, coming in 5th among our top 6 on D in point production (only Hale is less productive offensively with .000).

It is okay to love the guy (I sure do), but Brian Rafalski is our clear #1 and without him (or someone very much like him) we would be doomed.

I'm a swede and I really like Oduya. I knew he would make it and I thought Capitals where stupid releasing him. I'm glad he ended up playing for the Devils. He is a great defensive d-man with a great attitude, team loyalty and heart. But I think your analyze was very good and very close to reality.

Especially the part about his poor shot and hybrid "stay at home" D-man.

I hope his shot will develop and I also hope he will take step up his physical play. He played much more physical in Sweden and was involved in a couple of "fun" fights/season. ;-) But if I know Oduya correctly he is simply following his coach orders. He will step up his physical play if coach asks him to.

It would really surprise me though if he starts producing lots of points. For me he is a defensive d-man. A great asset for any team out there if you use him correctly.

Oduya is good right now, at least defensively but we all know he will continue to develop.