Sorry for such a short post today, it was all I could manage to get to post from my iPhone. I am home now, and will fill you in on the latest.
Today the Islanders announced that they have signed defenseman Radek Martinek to a 3 year contract extension. This will keep Martinek in an Isles jersey until the 2010-2011 season.
Per the Islanders website: “Our organization has felt for a while that Radek is one of the most underrated defensemen in the league,” said Islanders general manager Garth Snow. “He is a very steady defenseman in both zones and he plays with a lot of grit. It was a priority for us to keep Radek an Islander beyond this season. We’re very happy he was as dedicated to staying an Islander as we were to keeping him here.”
I think this was a very solid signing that may get overlooked by the mainstream analysts. Martinek, when healthy has been one of our best defensive defensmen and surprised many people with the skill and grit he has. He is the most tenured Islander next to DiPietro and you can tell he loves being an Islander. He is also an Isles draft pick that has blossomed into a true NHL player, not many of those in the fold right now. I love when a player is locked up before they hit UFA, which Martinek would have after this season. With this extension, I honestly feel that there is going to be a defenseman on the move in the coming days – which will make room for Berard.
Solid signing by Garth!
