TheFuturist
Registered User
Martin's contract is certainly up for debate, but his value to the team is based on intangibles. We literally have no one else on the roster or on the Marlies that can step in and fill that role.
Is it necessary to dress an enforcer type role player every game in the current era of the NHL? Probably not, but Babs is old school in this sense, and he wants to protect the kids night in night out.
It's almost a catch 22, because is it necessary to get him in every game? No. However, he is the type of player that you don't miss in the line up until it's too late. So there is a considerable risk in the eye's of our coaching staff with not playing him. And I would assume, that in their opinion, the risk is not worth the potential reward of having Leivo there.
Question: Why do you think none of our kids get pasted like Debrincat did yesterday?
Answer: There's going to be a price to pay. By virtue of simply having him in the line up, whether he is fighting or not, his presence protects our young superstars.