Paul Martin Appreciation Thread

Player...................Time on ice.....+/-....Shifts...avg shift length
.
Paul Martin...............29:32..........+2......30.... .........59
.
Scott Niedermayer.....29:23..........+2......28......... ....1:02

Paul Martin just logged 9 more seconds than a leading Norris candidate. Un****ingbelievable. He also assisted on the tying goal, without which, Niedermayer's goal never would have happened. Look out Joni.

PEli edit: Don't try to get around the filter.

He is no David Hale, right J-Mac?

absolutely

he's been unreal in rafalski's absence, and he and nieds seem to have pretty good chemistry out there

Paul Martin just logged 9 more seconds than a leading Norris candidate. He also assisted on the tying goal, without which, Niedermayer's goal never would have happened. Look out Joni.
Excellent idea for a thread.

Paul Martin :bow: :bow:

Did anyone notice he only has 4 penalty minutes for the entire season?

Paul Martin is a #2 defenseman on any other hockey team.
Hell, he's our #2 d-man. He's better than Whitey.

:bow: :bow: :bow:


Oh, and one other thing. How good has Ray Giroux been, huh? He's fit right in, and he has a rocket of a shot. He's like a mini-Martin.

Did anyone see how many times Martin jumped into the play to keep the puck in the offensive zone? Very, very aggressive, and it always paid off - he was never caught in a bad position. The kid is absolutely fantastic, and playing with Niedermayer has helped him so much.

Go go Paul Martin!

It's sad Martin won't get consideration for the Calder. It's also amazing how far he has progressed considering most were thinking Hale > Martin at the beginning of the year. One thing turned out to be right though => Lou wasn't wrong when he though Martin could make the jump from College to the NHL. :bow: :teach:

Paul Martin is playing well above himself. And I, for one, appreciate it. He plays with poise, he doesn't make too many errors, and he's handling all this extra time very well. My worries for the future Devils blueline are allayed thanks to Paul Martin.

Oh, and one other thing. How good has Ray Giroux been, huh? He's fit right in, and he has a rocket of a shot. He's like a mini-Martin.


I believe Lou himself commented on how well Gioroux is playing. If that guy was 3 inches taller he'd be a top 4 dman on a playoff team easily.

Paul Martin for Calder!


Ok Ryder and Raycroft do deserve it more, but I'd love to see Martin as a finalist.

He just keeps getting better and better every game, what a blessing it must be for him to learn from one of the best in Neidermeyer. When Stevens and Rafalski come back our d-corp won't look so bad after all, mostly because of the play of Martin.

Question is, do we push Martin back to #5 or push White back?

Did anyone see how many times Martin jumped into the play to keep the puck in the offensive zone? Very, very aggressive, and it always paid off - he was never caught in a bad position. The kid is absolutely fantastic, and playing with Niedermayer has helped him so much.
That's one thing that I think he will be better than Nieder (no knock on him) at is jumping in from the point to score in close, he really seems to have a knack for it and something you can't teach. Every game it seems gets a good opportunity that way, once he learns how to bury it......look out!

21 points on the year as a rookie blueliner for the Devils, not to mention logging ridiculous minutes. It's easy to forget the questions surrounding his ability to handle the rough stuff consistently despite a lanky frame - he hasn't only responded, he's excelled.

Just think of how good he is going to be next year with a full season under his belt. He seems to have come a very long way in a very short time. I couldn't believe the ice time for him tonight. Amazing for a rookie.

I've been all over this kid since I drafted him last year in my sim league. In the couple of Devils games I have been able to watch this year, Martin has been nothing but solid.

While it's true that Martin probably won't win the Calder because of his stats, isn't that really what makes being a Devil so special; not putting personal stats over team success? You've probably heard it a million times that Elias could easily be an Art Ross candidate year in and year out if he just went all out offense. But he sticks to the team plan.

As much as I liked him, even I laughed when people were saying he could be the next Niedermayer. At the rate he's growing now though . . .

He is no David Hale, right J-Mac?
Martin has played extreamly well but it is much easier for an offensive defensmen to break into the league and make an impact over a defensive dmen. I still feel Hale will become the better of the two once he adjusts to NHL speed and the size of the players.

Meh, I wasn't very impressed with the budget yesterday. :p

(come on, 20 posts and no Prime Minister jokes from the Canucks? Disappointing...)

I have been dissapointed with David Hale, He should have spent the year in ALbany along with DeMartchi. DeMarchi should be up with the big club once Stevens calls it quits.

I have been dissapointed with David Hale, He should have spent the year in ALbany along with DeMartchi. DeMarchi should be up with the big club once Stevens calls it quits.

With Stevens out, Hale has become indespensible. Hale's certainly better than Brown...

Martin is playing great. He is having a great year. I really think he should be paired with Brown or Giroux right now. Nieder and White should be back together.

Martin, :bow: :bow: ..........I hope he can continue into the playoffs.

I think Martin, Hale, Brown, and Giroux have all been very good during this tough time. Of all of them, I think Hale has been the weak link. In last night's game, Brown was terrific from the point, keeping the puck in and launching rockets when he had the chance. Martin was like a seasoned vet, and Giroux looks like he doesn't miss a step out there. Hale seems too tentative; I'm waiting for more.

Still, you can't argue that this corps will be solid in a couple of years. Nieds, White, Hale, Martin, Giroux, and Rafalski, not to mention DeMarchi, Kadeykin, etc. I like our future blueliners a lot.

On Hale... while it's pretty evident that Martin has been adjusted quicker and hence been used more this season, Hale will still be just as important in the coming years. Once Stevens hangs 'em up, it'll be important for both to be around in the event that free agency claims Nieder or Rafalski come their next contracts.

hmmm,

I remember after I saw him in at MSG in pre-season game, I gave a brief report here telling how good Martin was; and I got severely burned by the flames.

:dunno:

hmmm,

I remember after I saw him in at MSG in pre-season game, I gave a brief report here telling how good Martin was; and I got severely burned by the flames.

:dunno:I am not sure if it was me but I'll apologize anyway. Having seen Martin quite a bit at Minnesota, I thought he would be a project in the NHL at this point in his career. The only thing I said at the time is that I have faith in Lou and his staff who know a lot more about hockey prospects than I ever will.

Lou was right (again) and I was wrong. Martin is very good now and is going to be a lot better in 2-3 years. Go PM!

I think Martin, Hale, Brown, and Giroux have all been very good during this tough time. Of all of them, I think Hale has been the weak link. In last night's game, Brown was terrific from the point, keeping the puck in and launching rockets when he had the chance. Martin was like a seasoned vet, and Giroux looks like he doesn't miss a step out there. Hale seems too tentative; I'm waiting for more.

Still, you can't argue that this corps will be solid in a couple of years. Nieds, White, Hale, Martin, Giroux, and Rafalski, not to mention DeMarchi, Kadeykin, etc. I like our future blueliners a lot.

I think we need another physical d-man in the top 6. Someone who can at least fill half of Stevens' shoes. I wouldn't be surprised if sometime in the next two years there's a blockbuster trade to bring a big name physical d-man to the Swamp. Don't ask me who, though.

I think we need another physical d-man in the top 6. Someone who can at least fill half of Stevens' shoes. I wouldn't be surprised if sometime in the next two years there's a blockbuster trade to bring a big name physical d-man to the Swamp. Don't ask me who, though.


Well, Looking over the Redline report of the top 200+ North American ranked players for this years draft, It seems this year is "The year of the defensemen". Lots of big skilled players out there.

But also, remember guys, No Stevens for about half of the season and the Devils still have allowed the Fewest Goals Against in the Entire League!

I think we need another physical d-man in the top 6. Someone who can at least fill half of Stevens' shoes. I wouldn't be surprised if sometime in the next two years there's a blockbuster trade to bring a big name physical d-man to the Swamp. Don't ask me who, though.

I completely agree. I think that's when you'll see Ahonen get dealt. He's a guy someone can build a franchise around. Still, I'd like to see him get dealt for a sniper rather than a big defenseman in the Chris Pronger mold. As far as replacements for Stevens, those are hard shoes to fill. I could see Lou going after guys like Pronger or Jackman, but who knows.

Question is, do we push Martin back to #5 or push White back?

It really doesn't matter. When Stevens and Rafalski come back, we will have three stay-at-home, physical defensemen and three offensive defensemen. My guess is the Big Four will log heavy ice time with Martin and Hale pulling in somewhere around 15 minutes per game.

Here is a terrible thought: with the emergence of Martin this year, will Lou be tempted to let Nieds go RFA? Will he sign him to a one year deal and allow him to go UFA? Man, I hope not.

It really doesn't matter. When Stevens and Rafalski come back, we will have three stay-at-home, physical defensemen and three offensive defensemen. My guess is the Big Four will log heavy ice time with Martin and Hale pulling in somewhere around 15 minutes per game.

Here is a terrible thought: with the emergence of Martin this year, will Lou be tempted to let Nieds go RFA? Will he sign him to a one year deal and allow him to go UFA? Man, I hope not.

I think Lou is smart enough to realize that Nieder is the best leader on the club after Stevens goes and that Martin should complement, not replace him. At least I hope he is...

It really doesn't matter. When Stevens and Rafalski come back, we will have three stay-at-home, physical defensemen and three offensive defensemen. My guess is the Big Four will log heavy ice time with Martin and Hale pulling in somewhere around 15 minutes per game.

Here is a terrible thought: with the emergence of Martin this year, will Lou be tempted to let Nieds go RFA? Will he sign him to a one year deal and allow him to go UFA? Man, I hope not.

No. Definitely not. We'll either lose him this season or not at all. And I don't think Lou is stupid enough to let Niedermayer leave. He'll offer him a 4-5 year contract at, say, 4-6M a year. Niedermayer is our Captain right now - and even with Stevens, I think he's become an integral part of the leadership.

No. Definitely not. We'll either lose him this season or not at all. And I don't think Lou is stupid enough to let Niedermayer leave. He'll offer him a 4-5 year contract at, say, 4-6M a year. Niedermayer is our Captain right now - and even with Stevens, I think he's become an integral part of the leadership.

I agree completely, but it might be tempting to take the multiple picks that would certainly come NJ's way for Nieds. I'd be shocked though if Lou would do such a deal. The prospect of having three solid offensive defensemen is just too sweet. Defensively, we are set.

Martin has played extreamly well but it is much easier for an offensive defensmen to break into the league and make an impact over a defensive dmen.

That's one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard in my life.

No. Definitely not. We'll either lose him this season or not at all. And I don't think Lou is stupid enough to let Niedermayer leave. He'll offer him a 4-5 year contract at, say, 4-6M a year. Niedermayer is our Captain right now - and even with Stevens, I think he's become an integral part of the leadership.

Hopefully Lou can get Nieds to stay with a a contract similiar to Hatcher's this summer. If Nieds says he wants to "test the free market" and only signs a one year contract, we're screwed.

Problem is I can see Nieds fetching 9 million or more.

That's one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard in my life.
No it isn't, offensive dmen usually break out early 20's while defensive dmen usually take till mid 20's to start making a great impact.

Problem is I can see Nieds fetching 9 million or more.

Not in today's NHL. Besides, Lou will pay 9M for Nieds... remember, he offered 8M for Holik, and Nieds is certainly worth more.

Martin has played extreamly well but it is much easier for an offensive defensmen to break into the league and make an impact over a defensive dmen.Then why did you tout Hale as a Calder candidate out of camp? :dunno:

http://www.hfboards.com/showthread.php?p=216093&highlight=calder+chance#post216093

Then why did you tout Hale as a Calder candidate out of camp? :dunno:

http://www.hfboards.com/showthread.php?p=216093&highlight=calder+chance#post216093
If you read the thread I said if he plays with Niedermayer he may put up similar stats to Jackman. Hale didn't play with Niedermayer did he.....He also didn't get 20 minute ice time like Jackman did.

If you read the thread I said if he plays with Niedermayer he may put up similar stats to Jackman. Hale didn't play with Niedermayer did he.....He also didn't get 20 minute ice time like Jackman did.Gee maybe that's because Burns and Lou never thought Hale should play Niedermayer type minutes?

But I digress. I like Hale. I am easily baited by this kind of player trashing. :eek:

Gee maybe that's because Burns and Lou never thought Hale should play Niedermayer type minutes?

But I digress. I like Hale. I am easily baited by this kind of player trashing. :eek:
I am not bashing Martin....it is true physical players take longer to develop...thats not to say Martin won't continue to get better.

I remember when I called Paul Martin, Paul Teverdovsky the first game he played, because he gave the puck away soooo many times, and at the time, Hale was more solid......NOW I HATE Hale, and think Paul Martin is awesome. Good job son.

I remember when I called Paul Martin, Paul Teverdovsky the first game he played, because he gave the puck away soooo many times, and at the time, Hale was more solid......NOW I HATE Hale, and think Paul Martin is awesome. Good job son.

You Hate Hale? You need a hug, man.

You Hate Hale? You need a hug, man.

As a player you knob :p

Problem is I can see Nieds fetching 9 million or more.
Not if there is a salary cap. In a way I feel kinda bad for Nieder, he missed a GIANT pay day by a year, at the same time it just might keep him in NJ longer so I'm happy about that.

As a player you knob :p

Take off, you hoser.

Take off, you hoser.


wow super sensitive there bud-dy

wow super sensitive there bud-dy

Umm, no. Just joining the Great White North (http://www.geocities.com/mckenziebrothers/) debate in language I thought you'd appreciate.