While being back in the Islanders locker room certainly feels the same for Matt Martin, the circumstances are a bit different this time around.
After spending the past six seasons as an enforcer on the Island, the veteran winger knows that he’s going to have to earn his way onto the opening night roster during his training camp tryout.
“It’s certainly a different mindset,” he told reporters. “You have something to prove from a different prospective than before when you had a contract. But it’s nothing out of the ordinary, I feel comfortable in this room, I’ve been friends with these guys for a long time.”
Martin was originally selected by the Islanders way back in the fifth round of the 2008 NHL Draft and he quickly became a mainstay over his first seven years with the team for his high-energy, physical play on their fourth line.
After a brief two year stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs, he returned back to the Big Apple and picked up right back where he left off, bringing some much-needed physicality to their bottom six lines.
Martin’s style of play finally began taking a toll on him last season as he logged just 57 regular season games and no playoff appearances after missing time due to numerous injuries and serving as a healthy scratch.
Still, the 35-year-old received some interest on the open market as a UFA this offseason, but he deep down he knew that this was going to be the best opportunity for him.
“With my age and injuries I was open about the possibilities,” he said. “I’m excited to be at camp. Last season didn’t end how anyone wanted it to, especially myself being injured and not able to, so I’m just showing that I’m healthy and happy to be here.”
While he has plenty of familiarity with the team and their system, Martin still finds himself facing a bit of an uphill climb towards a roster spot over the next few weeks.
One of the biggest reasons him and his longtime linemate Cal Clutterbuck remained unsigned was because the Islanders were looking to turn their attention towards some of their younger talent in their bottom six.
Martin is aware of that, but for now, he’s just focused on taking things one day at a time.
“I don’t have expectations,” he said. “As competitor, you fully believe you can make any team. I’m very much a day by day kind of person, I’ve said that before, so I’ll just go out there and give my all and let the chips fall where they fall.”