The acquisition of Matt Martin makes little sense, and -- on the heels of Lou Lamoriello's free agent signings so far -- raises more concerns about the plans of new management.
I love it.
Welcome back, Matt.
Sometimes, WTF doesn't have to be followed by a question mark. At this juncture, after the pain Islanders Country absorbed over the weekend, it's not the worst thing in the world to bring back someone who embraces being here and brings pain to others. In the rare case of re-acquiring a guy who cares about the Islanders' cause as Martin does, you can just say WTF.
At a time when the Islanders have just lost their franchise player, John Tavares -- who can say what he wants about childhood dreams, but the fact is he chose not to be here -- it's okay to return someone who never wanted to leave.
"I'm ecstatic to be back," Martin said today. "I love Long Island. It's always had a special place in my heart. In Toronto, I was still very much in touch with what was going on on Long Island."
(Bonus points to Martin for the "on" Long Island touch, and for not even pretending to care that Brooklyn is still on the home schedule).
Never mind that Martin is a "good guy" -- the most tired phrase in sports. Almost everyone in hockey is a decent fellow, and why wouldn't they be?
Martin is something different when it comes to this team. He was drafted by the Islanders out of Sarnia, and was continually counted out. He couldn't skate. He couldn't stickhandle. He'd never make it in the NHL.
He became a valuable Islander, wore his heart on his sleeve, played on just about every line, and made his teammates stand just a bit taller.
Make no mistake: he's a fourth-line forward. He will enter the season fighting for one of the six spots on the Islanders' two fourth lines.
Apparently, Lamoriello has decided you cannot have enough bottom-three grinders. It's like he's modelling the Islanders after the Vegas Golden Knights, but without the quickness. (And no, you don't stockpile bottom-threers like Leo Komarov so you have assets to make a major trade).
The discussion of Lamoriello's vision for the Islanders is for another day. Today, Matt Martin returned, bringing along an earnest dose of pride in the organization in a week when it is needed.