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Paul Martin News & Rumors

Penguins' Martin finally establishing a rhythm
January 15
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
 
"The Penguins had just dropped a 1-0 heartbreaker to the Capitals for their sixth straight loss, and defenseman Paul Martin, seated at his stall in the locker room, was white as a ghost. Martin had been ill for days and admitted Saturday that he probably shouldn't have been playing. But Martin, the Penguins' highest paid defenseman who underperformed earlier this season, felt a sense of obligation. It turns out, he cares a lot more than his stoic demeanor and low-key game suggests. "People don't understand that about him," assistant coach Todd Reirden said. "Paul's "care factor" is there all the time.""
Martin might return this week
December 27
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"The Penguins got some tangible evidence of injured players making strides before and at practice Monday. Defenseman Paul Martin (undisclosed injury) and forwards Richard Park (broken foot) and Dustin Jeffrey (setback from knee surgery) skated before the team did at Southpointe. Martin and Park were in full uniform, Jeffrey in a warm-up suit. Park stayed out for about the first half of practice, but he's not the closest to playing. That would be Martin. "He probably won't be available for us [tonight against Carolina], but he should be getting close to getting back to practice," coach Dan Bylsma said of Martin. "Hopefully, we'll get him [back] before the first of the year." That would mean"
Martin latest Penguin to miss time with an injury
December 18
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"The Penguins' injury report grew again when defenseman Paul Martin missed Saturday's game against Buffalo at Consol Energy Center. Martin appeared to injure his right leg Friday night when he was checked by Ottawa's Chris Phillips . "We're hoping it's day to day," coach Dan Bylsma said. "We're not certain." Carl Sneep , 23, a second-round draft pick in 2006, was recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and made his NHL debut against the Sabres."
Penguins defenseman feeling heat
November 19
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
 
"Is Penguins defenseman Paul Martin a $5 million problem or a $5 million player? The statistics indicate that Martin has been a weak link on one of the NHL's best defensive groups. Coach Dan Bylsma and assistant coach Todd Reirden, however, vehemently came to Martin's defense during the Penguins' Florida swing. Both believe his current funk will pass and that Martin remains an essential ingredient to the Penguins' success on the blue line despite being a minus-10 through 19 games. "That's not a great number for him right now," Bylsma said. "But I'm not going to be surprised if, at Game 40, he's even." Martin, one of the NHL's smoothest skating defensemen, has lost an uncharacteristic number"
Soft-spoken Martin aware of space invasion
November 28
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
 
"Few NHL players are as generous with their time after practices and games as Penguins defenseman Paul Martin. Fewer are more insightful and honest with their comments. Maybe nobody speaks softer, though ? and this has occasionally presented a problem for reporters who approach him with questions. Compared to Martin a light afternoon sprinkle sounds like a dark-of-night thunderstorm. The thing about thunderstorms is that people generally shy away from them. Martin is the Penguins' third-highest paid player, and there is no shying away from him for a beat reporter. However, his stature and the hush of his voice often results in the invading of his personal space. A reporter is almost forced"
Martin satisfied in burying Devils
October 12
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"The bad news for Penguins defenseman Paul Martin, who spent his entire pro career before this summer in New Jersey, is that much of the Prudential Center crowd booed him every time he touched the puck Monday. The good news is that there were so few fans that the decibel count probably never reached double digits. And the best news of all came when Martin sealed the Penguins' 3-1 victory by steering the puck into an empty net with 10.9 seconds to play in regulation. But only after opting against setting up teammate Craig Adams, who had an open net from close range, as well. "I looked over at him, and the puck was still rolling," Martin said. "I'm sure I'll get some grief for it, but if it"
Martin in weird situation
October 11
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"Paul Martin didn't circle this date on his calendar when he signed with the Penguins as a free agent a few months back, and would like to approach his game today as just one of 82 on the regular-season schedule. The reality, though, is that when the Penguins visit the Prudential Center at 4:08 p.m. today, Martin will be facing the only team for which he had ever worked before joining the Penguins, and that's more than enough to make it stand out. "I think it will be a little more ... I don't want to say emotional, but it definitely will be weird, I think," Martin said. While he seems to be settling in fairly well with his new club -- Martin and fellow defenseman Alex Goligoski are the only"
Paul Martin signs five-year, $25 million deal with Pittsburgh Penguins
July 1
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Paul Martin has signed a five-year, $25 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. ESPN.com first reported the signing. It was known that the Penguins were aggressively pursuing the former Devils defenseman, but seemed to take themselves out of the running when they signed Zbynek Michalek to a five-year, $20 million deal today. However, they were able to sign Martin without breaking the bank. Martin, who made $4.5 million last season with the Devils will get $5 million per season from the Pens. Ironically, it was in Pittsburgh that Martin suffered a fractured left forearm that cost him almost the entire 2009-10 season. Martin was hit by a Bill Guerin shot Oct. 24 at Mellon Arena and"
Penguins sign defenseman Martin
July 1
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"The low point in defenseman Paul Martin's season came when he broke his arm blocking a shot at Mellon Arena last Oct. 27. He's going to get plenty of chances to make some better memories here, however. The Penguins have worked out a contract agreement with Paul Martin, arguably the best two-way defenseman on the free-agent market. The contract is for five years and $25 million, an annual cap hit of $5 million. Martin, 29 and late of New Jersey, was signed shortly after Sergei Gonchar accepted a three-year deal worth $16.5 million with Ottawa."
Paul Martin isn't closing the door on Devils, but he is anxious to test market
July 1
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Paul Martin wants to know his market value, so the Devils defenseman will become an unrestricted free agent at noon (ET) Thursday. Although he and agent Ben Hankinson will entertain offers from other NHL teams, Martin isn't ruling out the possibility of re-signing with the Devils. "I feel good about this. I have a little nervous excitement to kind of see what happens tomorrow and who is interested," Martin said today. "At the same time, we're still not ruling New Jersey out. "I talked to Lou (Lamoriello) today and I let him know that just because I'm going to see what's out there and take advantage of the situation, it doesn't mean I'm out the door there." Martin, a smooth-skating,"
Paul Martin, Mike Mottau, Yann Danis among Devils to test market
June 30
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Ilya Kovalchuk is the biggest prize in this year's NHL free agency market, which puts the Devils in the uncomfortable position of knowing they may not have the money to keep the dynamic left winger. But it is Paul Martin, perhaps the top defenseman available when the market opens Thursday at noon (ET), who would be the bigger loss if general manager Lou Lamoriello is unable to convince him to stay. The Devils have been down this road before, watching premier defensemen Scott Niedermayer and Brian Rafalski lured away by big money and different opportunities in past summers. Regardless of what happens with Martin, who hasn't ruled out re-signing with the Devils after he fields outside"
Devils unlikely to re-sign Paul Martin before he tests free agency market
June 30
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Don't expect the Devils to sign Paul Martin before the NHL free agency market begins at noon (ET) Thursday. Although it is very possible Martin will eventually choose to stay with the Devils, the two sides have not been able to work out a new deal and the talented defenseman is anxious to see his market value. "I've spoken to Lou (Lamoriello) on a few different occasions," said former Devils player Ben Hankinson, who represents Martin. "It's obviously been a very frustrating year for Paulie and the Devils. There will probably be some more changes. Time will tell if he ends up back in New Jersey. "It's not really that Paul wants to leave. It's almost like Lou with Johnny MacLean. He took"
Devils defenseman Martin to test free-agent waters
June 26
New York Post
 
"The Devils' top defenseman, Paul Martin, has told The Post he definitely will test the market as an unrestricted free agent July 1. Martin, whose agent is expected to meet with Lou Lamoriello at the draft in Los Angeles this weekend, said he wants to see what interest there is around the league. Martin made clear that he still looks very favorably on signing with the Devils. Martin, 29, made $4.5 million last season, a year hampered by a broken arm suffered in October. When the bones failed to knit properly after he spent nearly two months in a cast, surgery was required that kept him out of the Olympics, where he was expected to be one of the key players on the U.S. defense."
Paul Martin likes choice of John MacLean, but may still test market
June 18
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Paul Martin has had only one brief conversation with Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello since the playoffs ended. The two decided to delay negotiations on a possible new contract until the Devils found a head coach. Now that John MacLean has gotten the job, Martin expects negotiations with the Devils to begin in earnest. The team has until July 1 to re-sign Martin or else he will become an unrestricted free agent. "Lou wanted to wait until things were settled and he got a coach. I'm sure we'll talk now. I've spoken to him once and it was a short conversation. He said he wanted to have me back," Martin said today. "I assume there will be more talks next week or at the draft." And how"
Paul Martin's arm is fine but Devils' coach feels he can play better
April 18
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Paul Martin says his left wrist and forearm feel great. The Devils defenseman said he feels no lingering discomfort or restrictions relating to the injury he suffered nine games into the regular season. Hit by a Bill Guerin shot on Oct. 24 in Pittsburgh, Martin missed 59 games with a fractured left forearm. But he nows believes he is back to 100 percent. "Yeah, I would assume so," Martin told me this morning. "I think I'm fine. I feel fine physically and mentally." As far as coach Jacques Lemaire is concerned, he'd like Martin to raise his game to the next level. "I think he can play better," Lemaire said. "He's getting there slowly but he's a guy that can skate well with the puck. When"
A night to rest for Jamie Langenbrunner, Paul Martin
April 4
Bergen Record
 
"Looking to rest some of his veterans before the playoffs, Devils coach Jacques Lemaire decided to give captain Jamie Langenbrunner the night off Saturday. Lemaire said the decision to rest Langenbrunner "came up" after Friday's 2-1 shootout loss to Chicago. "If I get a chance, I will try to rest some of the guys," Lemaire said. Langenbrunner played in the team's first 77 regular-season games, plus six games at the Olympics. He hadn't missed a regular-season game since Oct. 25 of last season in Philadelphia when he sat out with a sore knee."
Free agents Martin, Kovalchuk could be in final days with Devils
March 31
New York Post
 
"The Devils are not doing anything about enticing their top defenseman, Paul Martin, away from unrestricted free agency. The playoffs open in two weeks, and, historically, the Devils have not negotiated with their upcoming UFAs once the second season starts. Heck, historically, they do not do much bargaining with them during the regular season. There is still time, if he is so inclined, for general manager Lou Lamoriello to convince star winger Ilya Kovalchuk and Martin to eschew unrestricted free agency. Even after the playoffs, there will be time to talk contracts before July 1, and Devils such as Jamie Langenbrunner, Brian Gionta (before leaving) and Bryce Salvador have re-signed that"
Paul Martin's comeback for NJ Devils better than he dreamed
March 18
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Paul Martin could not have asked for a better comeback. After missing 59 games with a fractured left forearm, the defenseman scored a goal in the Devils' 5-2 win over the Penguins Wednesday night. "I felt better than I thought it would," Martin said. "It kind of loosened up as the game went on. I think the true test will be tomorrow. I'll see how it feels tomorrow. I would like to play (in Toronto)." Martin, who last played on Oct. 24 when he was hurt in Pittsburgh, had 22 shifts for 18:05 of ice time. Only Martin Skoula (16:45) saw less ice time among New Jersey's defensemen. "I didn't know what to expect," Martin said. "I felt better and better." He scored an unassisted goal at 18:18 of"
Devils' Martin finally makes return
March 18
New York Post
 
"Paul Martin's return last night from a broken arm should have been in early December. As it is, we will never know if he might have been the little extra Team USA needed to beat Canada for the Olympic gold medal. The difference was so slim. The Americans won the first meeting with Canada in the Olympics, 5-3, then stood tied after regulation in the gold medal game. The Canadians ultimately triumphed 3-2 when the puck hit the referee, starting the sequence that culminated in Sidney Crosby getting a step on Brian Rafalski from the left boards to score the overtime winner. Given such a narrow margin between the teams and Martin's standing as the Americans' second or third defenseman, behind"
Paul Martin will make Devils return against Penguins
March 17
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Their meeting took place on the Prudential Center ice at the conclusion of Wednesday's morning skate. Coach Jacques Lemaire skated over to Paul Martin and asked the defenseman about his left forearm and wrist. "He asked me how it felt and I said, 'Good.' That was about it," Martin said. The Devils get their best defenseman back for Wednesday night's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Martin has missed 59 games since he suffered a fractured left forearm when struck by a Bill Guerin shot Oct. 24 in Pittsburgh. "I didn't really know until after the morning skate, but I had a good idea yesterday that I'd play," Martin said. "It felt good. We had a good day on the ice shooting the puck. It"
Martin may return to Devils tonight
March 17
New York Post
 
"Paul Martin has missed 59 games since fracturing his left forearm Oct. 24. But after months out of the lineup, the Devils top defenseman returns for tonight's game against Pittsburgh (7 p.m., MSG, ESPN). After a positive visit with doctors on Monday, Martin remained open to the possibility of playing tonight. If he doesn't make it back tonight, he could play Saturday against Tampa Bay. "I think I could say 50-50," Martin said of the possibility of returning to the Devils' lineup tonight. "We'll see where everybody stands. . . . I think it's ultimately now going to come down to if [physical therapist] Gary [Flink] thinks I'm all right to go, and then if I feel like I can.""
Paul Martin isn't ruling out making his return Wednesday against Penguins
March 16
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Maybe it's the lure of the team's original colors, but Devils defenseman Paul Martin said he isn't ruling out the possibility of playing in Wednesday night's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. "No, I'm not," Martin said Tuesday. "I could say it's 50-50. It depends on what happens today." Martin hasn't played a game since suffering a fractured left forearm on Oct. 24 in Pittsburgh. He was among eight players who practiced on Tuesday while wearing the club's old green pants and red, green and white striped socks. Watching from the stands in the AmeriHealth Pavilion was therapist Gary Flink, who will help Martin make the decision about when he comes back. The defenseman was cleared for"
Paul Martin may return Saturday
March 15
Bergen Record
 
"After more than four months of false starts and setbacks, Devils defenseman Paul Martin finally might begin the final week of his recovery from a fractured left forearm. Martin even was able to use the phrase "ahead of schedule" after participating in his first full practice with the team Sunday at Prudential Center. Martin, who skated with a handful of teammates during three optional morning skates last week, had thought he'd have to wait until after seeing the doctor today before getting to practice with the full squad for the first time since he was injured Oct. 24. But when Devils coach Jacques Lemaire decided the team needed another practice to get ready for tonight's game against"
Devs' Martin re-arms
March 15
New York Post
 
"On the verge of returning to the lineup after a maddening five-month injury, top Devils defenseman Paul Martin said the team's decisions in treating his broken arm won't play much role in his decision of where to play next season. "I don't think [it will matter] too much. I am going to have to weigh the situation that's handed to me. People make mistakes, and so do I," Martin told The Post. "I think everyone knows my game right now, and it's an injury that will be back to 100 percent." Martin practiced with the Devils yesterday for the first time since suffering a broken left arm Oct. 24. He will not face the Bruins tonight in Newark (7:00, VS., WFAN 660 AM), but likely will return on"
Paul Martin mending
March 11
Bergen Record
 
"Devils defenseman Paul Martin took another small step toward returning from a fractured left forearm by participating in Wednesday's optional morning skate. Martin, who has been out since Oct. 24, was one of eight players to participate in the skate. It was the first time he was on the ice with multiple teammates. On Tuesday, right wing David Clarkson joined him along with assistant coaches Tommy Albelin and Mario Tremblay to work on passing drills. "It was tough with the guys and that's why I think it's good that we started to do that now as opposed to later," he said. "I have been skating, but it's just not the same. Battling takes a lot more energy." Martin has been working two to three"
Paul Martin won't be able to play in a game for NJ Devils before March 20
March 10
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Every time Devils defenseman Paul Martin sets his own target date for coming back from a fractured left forearm, his hopes are dashed. Now, Martin says he won't be able to play a game before the March 20 home game against the St,. Louis Blues. "For sure another week from this weekend, to be realistic," Martin said after taking part in an eight-man optional skate Wednesday morning. Martin said he will be examined next week. He is doing rehab with Gary Flink, an orthopedist in Hackensack. "It's going well. Today was the first day of actually doing some battle drills," Martin said. "It's still weak. It needs to get stronger. But I see progress." Martin's left forearm was fractured"
Paul Martin still not shooting; Dean McAmmond practices with NJ Devils
February 26
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Paul Martin skated prior to the Devils' practice Friday morning at the Prudential Center and the defenseman still is not shooting pucks. Martin stickhandled as he skated on his own, but never attempted a shot or even a faux pass. Center Dean McAmmond, who did not practice with the team on Thursday, was back on the ice Friday. McAmmond said he had to attend to personal matters and was given the day off. As I reported Thursday, Olympians Ilya Kovalchuk and Patrik Elias will rejoin the Devils in San Jose on Saturday. The players apparently had no trouble getting to the Prudential Center. Most major roads were wet, although many exit ramps remained dangerous. The streets around the arena were"
Paul Martin still sidelined as Dean McAmmond misses NJ Devils practice
February 25
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Defenseman Paul Martin was still not able to skate with the Devils Thursday morning as the team held a second practice session for non-Olympians. Center Dean McAmmond did not participate in the practice. McAmmond, who did skate on Wednesday, had to take care of personal business. The Devils' lines on Thursday: Brian Rolston-Rob Niedermayer-David Clarkson Jay Pandolfo-Travis Zajac-Rod Pelley Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond-Dainius Zubrus-Vladimir Zharkov, along with Andrew Peters The six defensemen were Colin White-Mike Mottau, Bryce Salvador-Andy Greene and Anssi Salmela-Mark Fraser. Yann Danis and Anthony Felice were the goalies. Patrik Elias and Ilya Kovalchuk will not rejoin the Devils"
Whitney, Gleason named to U.S. team to replace Martin, Komisarek
February 5
New York Post
 
"Ryan Whitney of the Anaheim Ducks and Tim Gleason of the Carolina Hurricanes were chosen Thursday to replace injured Devils defensemen Paul Martin and Toronto's Mike Komisarek on the U.S. Olympic hockey team. Whitney and Gleason were selected from the pool of players who participated in the team's orientation camp last summer. The moves to replace Martin and Komisarek were made less than two weeks before the United States' opening game in Vancouver against Switzerland on Feb. 16. Team USA general manager Brian Burke said Whitney and Gleason have similar styles to the players they are replacing. That and their previous participation in other international competitions were key factors in"
2010 Olympic dream ends for injured NJ Devils defenseman Paul Martin
February 2
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Paul Martin, still battling to come back from a fractured left forearm, announced Monday that he was withdrawing his name from Team USA's Olympic roster for the upcoming Winter Games in Vancouver. The decision by Martin was not surprising, but it was nonetheless disappointing for the Minnesota-born defenseman. "It's tough. I waited to give myself every option. This is definitely disappointing," Martin told me via telephone. "It's definitely disappointing knowing I was on the taxi squad for the last Olympics and I was chosen for this one. It's definitely frustrating. I just won't be ready. This is the right decision to let someone else play. Hopefully down the road I get another shot.""
Martin's 2010 Olympic dream ends
February 2
Bergen Record
 
"Paul Martin's dream of playing in the 2010 Olympics is over. The Devils defenseman waited for more than three months for his fractured left forearm to heal in hope that he would be ready for Team USA's Olympic opener on Feb. 16, but he ran out of time. A visit to the doctor Monday revealed the bone is healing, but the cast needs to remain on for another two weeks. That eliminated Martin's last chance of playing in Vancouver later this month. "It's healing well, everything is lined up," a disappointed Martin said. "It just needs to fill in. There's not enough bone there." The target for Martin's return now is the Devils' first game after the Olympic break on March 2 in San Jose. He will be"
Devils' Martin out of Olympics
February 2
New York Post
 
"Devils defenseman Paul Martin, out most of the NHL season with a broken arm, has withdrawn from Team USA for the 2010 Olympics, which begin in two weeks. "After careful consideration, I have decided to withdraw my name from participation with Team USA at the upcoming Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver," Martin said in a statement released by the team. "While the decision was an extremely difficult one, I feel it is in my long-term best interest to not rush any return to the ice. "Team USA was informed of my decision earlier today. I look forward to re-joining my New Jersey Devil teammates in the near future, and would also like to wish my fellow Devils' Olympians and the rest of Team USA"
Paul Martin an Olympic long shot
January 30
Bergen Record
 
"U.S. Olympic team coach Ron Wilson doubts that Devils defenseman Paul Martin will be ready for the squad's opening game Feb. 16. Martin, who has been sidelined since Oct. 24 with a fractured left forearm, was named to the Olympic team Jan. 1 despite his injury. He is to be re-evaluated by team doctors Monday and might get the cast off his arm that day and begin skating. "He would have to play in a number of games and it's not looking very good right now," said Wilson, who also is head coach of the Maple Leafs. "The same thing with [Toronto defenseman] Mike Komisarek. We've got two weeks to go and it wouldn't be fair to the rest of our team if he only played one or two games [before the"
Devils' Martin holding out hope for Olympics
January 29
New York Post
 
"The timing is tight with no room for another setback, but Devils defenseman Paul Martin said he believes he can return from his broken arm in time to play for Team USA in the Olympics. "I'm optimistic. I have faith," Martin told The Post yesterday. "I know it's not going to be easy. "All I ask is a chance. Just let me try." When the Maple Leafs -- and Leafs and Team USA coach Ron Wilson -- visit the Devils tonight, Martin will miss his 44th consecutive game after breaking his left fibula on Oct. 24 in Pittsburgh. Six weeks ago, Martin thought he was close to returning. When an exam showed his bone had not knit properly, surgery put him back to square one. "It's felt better this time than"
Olympics in doubt for Paul Martin
January 16
Bergen Record
 
"Devils defenseman Paul Martin's chances of playing for the U.S. Olympic team next month in Vancouver appeared to take another hit Friday with the news that he would have to wait two more weeks before beginning to skate. Martin was named to the Olympic team Jan. 1 despite being sidelined with a fractured left forearm he sustained Oct. 24 in Pittsburgh. The original diagnosis was that Martin would miss four to six weeks, but after the bone did not heal properly, Martin underwent surgery Dec. 22 to have a titanium plate, screws and a bone graft inserted in his forearm. The prognosis then was that Martin would miss at least another four weeks. This latest news, which came after Martin visited"
Trio of Devils on Team USA
January 2
New York Post
 
"The Devils entered yesterday with an Eastern Conference-best 57 points, and they ended it with an NHL-best three U.S. Olympians. Jamie Langenbrunner, Zach Parise and Paul Martin were picked to Team USA. It is the second Olympics for the 34-year-old Langenbrunner, but his first since the 1998 Nagano Games, while Parise is set to make his Olympics debut. Martin's selection was something of a surprise. The Devils' top defenseman has been limited to nine games this season because of a broken left forearm that required surgery on Dec. 22 after not healing properly. Martin had been pessimistic about his chances of making a second straight U.S. Olympics team. The injury is expected to keep him"
Devils' Martin rues surgery stall
December 31
New York Post
 
"Fearing he will not be selected to the U.S. Olympic team tomorrow, and will not be in peak shape for Vancouver if he is, Paul Martin told The Post yesterday he should have sought a second opinion and underwent immediate surgery on his broken left arm in October. "Looking back, I probably would have seen a specialist earlier," the Devils' defenseman said. "For the first 4-6 weeks, there wasn't any indication [of trouble]. "If we'd done it right away, had surgery, I'd be playing right now." Martin suffered a broken left forearm, probably when hit by a Bill Guerin shot in Pittsburgh Oct. 24. The Devils called it a "non-displaced" fracture, decided he would not require surgery and said he"
Devil's Martin to miss four more weeks
December 24
New York Post
 
"Paul Martin's chances at making the U.S. roster for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver suffered a major setback this week. The Devils defenseman underwent what general manager Lou Lamoriello described as "minor surgery" on his broken left arm, and will miss at least another four weeks. "The outside of the fracture has been healing, but the inside has not been healing at the rate we wanted it to heal," Lamoriello said after yesterday's practice. "So, there's been some minor surgery, and he has been re-casted. "We didn't want to take any chances with him." The Post reported last week that Martin, who broke his arm against the Penguins on Oct. 24, had taken a week off from skating, and was"
Fraser big plus on Jacques' backline
December 21
New York Post
 
"There will be decisions on defense to be made soon, when Paul Martin returns after New Year's. Whether to sit down rookie Mark Fraser will be the big one that will have to be made, and how does Jacques Lemaire leave out his backline plus-minus leader? As the Devils visit the Penguins tonight in a showdown for the league lead, Fraser stands at plus-11, third among Devils only to Zach Parise's tied-for-NHL-best plus-17, and Travis Zajac's plus-12. After the Devils nipped the Thrashers 5-4 Saturday in Atlanta and he went plus-2, that plus-11 led the league's rookies in that tell-tale stat, and stood tied for sixth among all the league's defensemen. "It's simply our team's success," Fraser"
Injuries to Martin, Pandolfo pain Devils
October 26
New York Post
 
"Defenseman Mike Mottau is expected to rejoin the Devils in practice today, and Patrik Elias, the franchise's all-time leading scorer, is anticipated to make his practice debut "more toward the end of the week," GM Lou Lamoriello said. But they're bracing for bad news today about Paul Martin and Jay Pandolfo. But while the Devils were setting a team record Saturday with a perfect 5-0 road start to their season, they lost team ice-time leader Martin to a suspected broken left arm and stalwart left wing Pandolfo to a dislocated right shoulder in Saturday's 4-1 victory in Pittsburgh. The Devils expected to send Martin and Pandolfo for tests and X-rays late last night or this morning. "We"