Martin will get signed about 25-30 games into the year so he can play just enough to reach his 1000. I can't see Lou stringing him along so he falls short this year.
I know this is an ongoing theme. Lou isn’t stringing him along. He doesn’t want to relocate to play. He’s rolling the dice he gets an opportunity to play.
However, Lou and Roy know he is declining in this era of the game. Both want to advance the cause and win. They’ve also added speed to the lineup year over year.
I don’t see Lou playing charity with Martin. If due to a number of injuries the Isles need forward help, have the cap space, then maybe Martin gets signed and plays. I can see Lou not sending Martin to the AHL - he’s either on the NHL roster or not.
If Martin is on the Isles this year, then the Isles have taken on a rash of forward injuries, IMO - not a good thing OR the PTOs turn into a bunch of waifs that have no consistency and Roy loses patience with them and goes with the flawed safe bet in Martin.