SAN JOSE — Defenseman Paul Martin’s time with the Sharks appears to be in its final stages.
Fully healthy again but unable to crack the Sharks’ lineup for the last three weeks, Martin and his agent have been working with San Jose general manager Doug Wilson to explore trade options.
Martin was a scratch for the seventh straight game Saturday night and did not travel with the Sharks on Sunday afternoon when they left San Jose for Los Angeles, where they will begin a three-game road trip that continues through Arizona and Colorado.
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If a trade cannot be completed soon, Martin could be placed on waivers or even be sent on another conditioning assignment with the Barracuda, the Sharks’ AHL affiliate
“It’s kind of a tough one for (Martin) because he knows he can play and he wants to play with the Sharks. Right now, there isn’t a spot for him,” Hankinson told this newspaper Sunday. “That’s his first choice but obviously the goal is to play somewhere and help a team win in the NHL. Now we’re going down that path and trying to find a team.
“Paulie wants to play and he’d love to win.”
If Martin is placed on waivers but is not claimed by another team, he would begin to play with the Barracuda to showcase himself to potential suitors. Martin is in the third year of a four-year contract that carries a $4.85 million cap hit for next season.
Paul Martin pic.twitter.com/kuHjIE1jVr
— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) January 14, 2018
Martin’s third season in San Jose has been plagued by injuries. He’s only played three games this season — with his last appearance coming Dec. 7 in a game against a Carolina Hurricanes — so it would make sense for other teams to want to take a look at him before they decide to acquire him and his salary.
It’s unclear what the Sharks might get in return for Martin. With no pressing need for an NHL goalie or defenseman, the return could be a veteran depth forward who carries a substantial salary to help even out the contracts that would be exchanged.
Martin said Sunday he’s simply looking to get another opportunity to play. Right now the Sharks have eight defensemen, including first-year NHL players Joakim Ryan and Tim Heed. Dylan DeMelo came off injured reserve
“I just want to play,” Martin said. “It’s been a long couple months. That’s basically it. We spoke a couple times to figure out what we can do. It’s early.”
Martin, 36, is in his 14th NHL season and his third with the Sharks. He came to the San Jose via free agency as he signed a four-year, $19.4 million contract in July 2015.
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Martin played beside Brent Burns for two full seasons, and was credited with helping Burns become one of the top-scoring defensemen as Martin’s steady, stay-at-home style gave Burns the freedom to join the rush to try and create an odd-man attack. Burns won the Norris Trophy in 2017 as the NHL’s top defenseman as he finished with 76 points.
“It’s a business, but obviously the number one choice would be (to be) here with the guys,” Martin said. “That’s kind of where we’re at now. Just wait and see.”
Sharks coach Pete DeBoer made it clear when Martin was getting back to full health right around Christmas that the veteran defenseman might have to wait for a chance to play — then make the most of it once he got in there. It’s been close to three weeks, and Martin’s still waiting.
“We’ve been very fortunate in that we’re healthy, and that all seven ahead of (Martin) have played very well,” DeBoer said. “We didn’t foresee that. You’re always anticipating injuries and they’ll be an opportunity to get him in, and it hasn’t happened. You get to a point where he’s got to play some games.
“Whether that’s with us, whether that’s with the Barracuda, whether that’s with another team, he’s at that point and we need him to play if we’re going to use him. He can’t sit for a month, or longer.”
DeBoer, though, said from his standpoint, the ideal situation would be for Martin to stay in the Sharks’ organization.
“I really believe we need eight NHL defensemen here,” DeBoer said. “If it happens that he isn’t here, then that’ll be disappointing for us. I’m not hoping that’s where this goes. I’m hoping this goes to a place where he can maybe go down, play some games and keep himself ready, because I know we’re going to need eight defensemen.”
Martin has played just three games this season as he’s battled injuries almost from the start. He had offseason ankle surgery, then re-injured the ankle in early October. As he neared a comeback in November, he hurt himself in a off-ice workout.
Please check back for updates to this story.
