Patrick Roy would like more than anything to see Lou Lamoriello grant a contract to veteran Matt Martin, but for the moment, the robust forward still has not signed an agreement.
Martin, who is currently on a professional tryout (PTO) with the New York Islanders, could be the missing piece to complete the team’s protection puzzle.
Roy, who has never hidden his affection for “goon” style players, has already lost one of his favorites in Cal Clutterbuck.
He doesn’t want to lose Martin either with Matt Rempe who will terrorize this division at the Rangers.
Roy knows only too well that Martin is the ideal candidate to do the dirty work, a job that would take a lot of pressure off Arber Xhekaj’s shoulders.
We repeat, but Xhekaj cannot single-handedly carry the weight of the vigilante within the Montreal Canadiens, especially if he is assigned as the 7th defender and spends several games in the stands.
Every night that Xhekaj throws down the gloves to defend his teammates, he exposes himself to penalties that weaken Montreal’s defense, leaving his team in a perilous situation.
This evening, he threw down his gloves according to the rules of the art.
But when he is in the stands, his teammates will play with fear in their stomachs.
Martin, with his experience and his well-established role as protector, could bring this physical stability to the 4th line, without the team having to sacrifice an essential defender in every altercation.
And against less robust teams, we would send him to the press box.
Kent Hughes, meanwhile, appears to be monitoring the situation closely.
Is he patiently waiting to see if Matt Martin will be rejected by the Islanders so they can offer him a minimum salary contract?
He could do it right now, but Martin really wants to stay with the Islanders. He will wait until the last minute.
Time is of the essence, and decisions must be made quickly as the season opener quickly approaches.
Patrick Roy, for his part, would be furious to see Martin leave for Montreal.
For Roy, a player of Martin’s caliber should not leave, especially in a metropolitan division that is so robust with the Matt Rempe, Kurtis MacDermid and Mathieu Olivier of this world.
Roy understands better than anyone the importance of a player like Martin in maintaining order on the ice. He would be furious that he became a member of the CH and that his rival Martin St-Louis took advantage of it.
With Martin’s experience and ability to protect his teammates, Xhekaj could focus on his defensive game without having to constantly play the role of vigilante.
With just a few days left before the final decision is made, the question remains: Will Lou Lamoriello offer Matt Martin that long-awaited contract, or will the veteran have to consider other options?
The pressure is mounting, not only for Martin, but also for the leaders of the Canadiens, who must quickly fill this need for robustness before a disaster strikes in the regular season.
The teams know it. It’s made it too easy to make Xhekaj lose his mind.
Kent Hughes absolutely needs to find another goon before next Wednesday and the first game against the Leafs.
Matt Martin is the obvious candidate.
