Islanders sign RW Parenteau to 1-year deal

Ironically, the deal makes it less likely that Toronto doesn’t wind up signing defenseman Kris Russell; like Martin, Russell is prime to be overpaid by one of the several teams chasing him.

Originally selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the ninth round, 264th overall, of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, Parenteau completed a four-year junior hockey career in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in 2003 and played his first professional season in 2003-04 with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks of the American Hockey League.

“It’s nerve-wracking”, Martin said of unrestricted free agency. Especially when you consider that decision makers such as Kyle Dubas prefer analytical players, while head coach Mike Babcock believes role players, or grinders, like Martin have value on any team.

Holl played with the Toronto Marlies last season and actually played pretty well.

Martin figures to be one of the more experienced Leafs, a physical presence who can open up room for teammates in the offensive zone. It’s another low-risk, high-reward signing. That’s no excuse for this deal actually happening, but it’s the only positive thing to this signing.

If the 21-year-old impresses at the Leafs’ development camp, he could join the likes of Antoine Bibeau, Garret Sparks and the recently drafted Joseph Woll amongst the Leafs’ goaltender prospects. The club also locked up Nazem Kadri and Morgan Rielly to long-term pacts, traded for former first rounder Kerby Rychel and made Matthews the first No. 1 pick of the organization in 31 years.