Stefen Rosner on Morning Cuppa Hockey Talking Islanders ELMONT, NY -- NHL veteran Matt Martin [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/islanders-sign-matt-martin-to-one-year-contract-duclair-ltir-roy-lamoriello] entered this past training camp without a contract for the first time in his 15-year NHL career. It wasn't a shock, as the 35-year-old was coming off an injury-riddled season, playing in just 57 of the club's 82 games. Instead, he signed a professional tryout, joining his New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/] family on the ice for training camp. Once training camp ended, Martin remained on his PTO, practicing with the team on home ice while skating independently when they hit the road. But, on Saturday, a contract was his signing a one-year, one-way deal worth league minimum ($775k) after the Islanders elected to place the injured Anthony Duclair on Long-Term Injured Reserve. "Marty came to camp completely on a tryout," Lamoriello stated. "He worked extremely hard. It's probably in the best shape I've actually seen him in physically over the last couple of years. So today, we decided that we would go forward with him." Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjEwMjY0MjUyMjQ0NTY3NjMw/usatsi_22719258-2.jpg] Just because No. 17 has a contract does not mean he will be an everyday player. "Marty understands his role. Marty understands what he brings to this team, not only on the ice but off the ice," Lamoriello said. "He understands that he won't be in the lineup every night, and he can accept that role. It will be a coaching decision each and every night. And we all know what he does physically when necessary. And I'm sure all of you know, in speaking to him over the years, what he brings to the locker room." Martin, 35, has 176 points (81 goals and 95 assists) in 955 career games with the Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs, sitting 45 games shy of 1,000 for his NHL career.
