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Toronto Maple Leafs: Paul Martin could add veteran presence in training camp

By James Reeve

SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 16: Paul Martin #7 of the San Jose Sharks skates with control of the puck against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period in Game Three of the Western Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 16, 2017 in San Jose, California. The Oilers won the game 1-0. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 16: Paul Martin #7 of the San Jose Sharks skates with control of the puck against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period in Game Three of the Western Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 16, 2017 in San Jose, California. The Oilers won the game 1-0. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs could use some help on the blue line; is the best way to solve this by bringing in someone with a wealth of experience to help improve the current corps during training camp?

The Toronto Maple Leafs could be in the market for a new defenceman, particularly on the right side, but they do have some talented players already at their disposal.

Rather than adding someone new to the line-up, could a training camp addition with the sole purpose of trying to help improve the team’s current corps of players be a better route to take?

Veteran defenceman Paul Martin is currently an unrestricted free agent, having spent the past three seasons with the San Jose Sharks.

Martin has accumulated 870 regular season appearances in the NHL, and a further 122 in the playoffs.

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Throughout his career he has been a great defensive asset to his team, registering five seasons with over 100 blocked shots and a career Corsi rating of 53.3%.

Martin is 37 years old and has averaged 22:42 of ice time across his long career.

He played sparingly last season for the Sharks, also seeing time in the AHL, but was recalled to play seven playoff games for the team.

The Leafs have Ron Hainsey as their elderly statesman, so to speak, but adding another grizzled veteran during training camp could help the team’s younger, less experienced, players.

The likes of Travis Dermott, Connor Carrick, Justin Holl and Timothy Liljegren could learn a lot from a player who has been such a constant in the NHL.

Martin’s defensive numbers have been solid throughout his career and, while the Leafs are expected to dominate offensively next season, this is an area that could be improved for the team.

The Leafs would not need to offer Martin a contract, but rather a PTO that would also allow him the opportunity to showcase his fitness to other teams around the league, if he still has hopes of playing in the NHL.

For the Toronto Maple Leafs, it would give head coach Mike Babcock an experienced guy who his younger set of players could learn from.

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What do you think Leafs fans? Should the team bring in a veteran such as Martin to help their younger defensive corps learn from during training camp? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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