Paul Martin picked as a top 10 shutdown defenseman

Just got my new The Hockey News, and Paul Martin was named as one of the top ten shutdown defenseman in the NHL. Accompanying him were Robyn Regehr, Nicklas Lidstrom, Scott Niedermayer, Chris Pronger, Zdeno Chara, Brent Seabrook, Mike Komisarek, and Jay Bouwmeester. Some good company.

Nice to see Paul getting some much-deserved recognition. :handclap:

Seabrook over Keith?

As nice as this is, THN has no credibility.

Seabrook over Keith?

As nice as this is, THN has no credibility.

That was actually discussed in the blurb about Seabrook. They interviewed some Eastern Conference GM who said "Seabrook did most of the heavy lifting."

The Hockey News came up with the list by polling numerous players, GMs, and scouts, I believe.

That was actually discussed in the blurb about Seabrook. They interviewed some Eastern Conference GM who said "Seabrook did most of the heavy lifting."

The Hockey News came up with the list by polling numerous players, GMs, and scouts, I believe.

If that's the case, it's awesome to get that recognition...minus how it may affect his pay in his next contract...damn cap.

Seems like they put an overemphasis on Dmen with excellent mobility.

Suprising to see him get the recognition, but he absolutely deserves it.

If that's the case, it's awesome to get that recognition...minus how it may affect his pay in his next contract...damn cap.
Martin's lack of offensive production will keep his price down.

Martin's lack of offensive production will keep his price down.

Hopefully...

Martin-Komisarek = great shutdown pairing for team USA.

Edit: Considering Canada and Russia will have their offense spread out among so many lines, a dedicated shutdown pairing probably isn't a good idea. But either way, those two will get major minutes in a shutdown role.

Martin-Komisarek = great shutdown pairing for the Devils Next year.
Fixed.

Fixed.
Too expensive when we've already got Whitey and Salvo.

He is also top 10 according to James Mirtle.

He is also top 10 according to James Mirtle.
He's top-10 for sure, just when you consider the huge difference in NJ's play with/without him.

http://cdn.nhl.com/devils/images/upload/2007/08/martin200.jpg

Please come back. kthxbye.

too bad he ain't playin

Seabrook over Keith?

As nice as this is, THN has no credibility.

I know we don't agree on this but I think Seabrook is better. I love that kid and I think he is one hell of a Dman. Interestingly THN did not put Martin on team USA instead they went with Leopold and JM Liles which completely befuddled me since martin is A LOT better then both of them.

I know we don't agree on this but I think Seabrook is better. I love that kid and I think he is one hell of a Dman. Interestingly THN did not put Martin on team USA instead they went with Leopold and JM Liles which completely befuddled me since martin is A LOT better then both of them.
I told you, THN has no credibility.

I told you, THN has no credibility.

I hate THN I stopped subscribing two years ago. They happened to send more the trade deadline preview issue for some reason and I read their projected Olympic teams. I was confused by the picks to say the least. But I still stand by the fact that I like Seabrook more whether THN has the same opinion or not.

I'm not surprised, the Devils have been awful without Paul Martin in the lineup.

Ouch my upper body hurts.

Ouch my upper body hurts.

yeah lol i would like it if they would be more specific on the injury.

If P-Mart isnt back by Thursday that will make me a sad panda.

I know we don't agree on this but I think Seabrook is better. I love that kid and I think he is one hell of a Dman. Interestingly THN did not put Martin on team USA instead they went with Leopold and JM Liles which completely befuddled me since martin is A LOT better then both of them.

Keith is better than Seabrook. Sure thing is that Seabrook is more physical but Keith is better in everything else. Keith is the most important part of the Hawks defensive squad.

I'm a big fan of Paul Martin, always been. Do you expect him back soon? Oh and he will be on the Olympic squad for sure. Leopold will surely be hurt anyway.

like ive been saying, martin needs to add some more muscle so he can withstand playing 25 minutes a night in the nhl

I posted this in the GDT so I figured I'd post it here too.

We really miss Paul Martin. The "D" hasn't looked very good at all without him.


TG's take:

As I pointed out below, the Devils are 3-6 this season in games without Paul Martin. One of the games they won was the 6-5 victory over San Jose on Sunday, which was not a defensive masterpiece by any means. The other two wins were shootout wins over Tampa Bay, which are nothing to get too excited about.

The point: Martin, who is out right now with a muscle pull in his upper body, is nearly irreplaceable.

He logs the most ice time on the team and plays important minutes, PP, PK, four-on-four., late in the game.

When he is out, other defenseman have to move up a notch on the depth chart and it throws off the entire defense. No one can fill the 24:31 in ice time he averages. When other guys increase their load just a little bit, their games take a dip. Asking Johnny Oduya and Mike Mottau to play more on the PP, hurts them in other areas. Same goes for Andy Greene. And Anssi Salmela is not the answer.



I agree with him 100%.


http://njmg.typepad.com/devilsblog/2009/02/time-to-regroup.html

Paul Martin is NJ's most important player. No one else does so much damage when he's out of the lineup.

Paul Martin is NJ's most important player. No one else does so much damage when he's out of the lineup.

I agree with this kind of. I do not even want to hint it, but the one or two games Parise wasnt in the lineup for, we didnt do so hot IIRC. I would say they are tied for our most important player with Elias close behind.

I agree with this kind of. I do not even want to hint it, but the one or two games Parise wasnt in the lineup for, we didnt do so hot IIRC. I would say they are tied for our most important player with Elias close behind.

yea but our forwards are much deeper than our defense

If P-Mart isnt back by Thursday that will make me a sad panda.
Marty playing.

That's MORE than enough reason to keep the panda frown upside down.