RUMOR: Matt Martin to Islanders

So far this season, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been the center of trade rumors surrounding them trading big names such as James van Riemsdyk, Leo Komarov and Tyler Bozak. We can now officially add a new name to the rumor mill, Matt Martin.

Toronto GM Lou Lamoriello will obviously be looking to trade away his 28-year old winger Matt Martin before February 26th. Martin's last game was against the Colorado Avalanche on January 22nd. Since then, he has been a regular healthy scratch.

So far, Toronto Head Coach Mike Babcock surely realized that his younger wingers are more effective offensively than Martin, as he is known more for his checks. Despite being a favorite within the locker room and being useful when the team needs someone to bang bodies. Martin is easily replaceable by Kasperi Kapanen or Josh Leivo. In this case, Martin is just an extra, not the ideal position for the 28-year old.

In his latest edition of 31 Thoughts, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman added insult to injury stating that Lamorielle would be open to get some extra salary to get rid of Martin. He also added that Martin's former team, the New York Islanders, as a club with whom he's had talks with.
I also think the Maple Leafs would keep money to help Matt Martin find a new home. No doubt they have checked with the Islanders, Friedman stated.
Martin was connected to the Leivo trade request, as well as the talks of Nikita Soshnikov being in the AHL. Friedman also stated that he wouldn't be a bit surprised if the Russian was traded before the deadline.