TropicalFruitGirl26 Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 From Sports World News: http://www.sportsworldnews.com/articles/40358/20150602/new-york-rangers-rumors-martin-st-louis-contemplating-retirement-im-going-to-be-40-in-two-weeks-video.htm From NBC Sports: http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2015/06/02/is-this-the-end-for-martin-st-louis/ Is he done?SHOULD he be done? He's gone out of his way to be sure he got traded to the Rangers where he would have both a chance at one more Cup and to be near his family (he owns a home in Connecticut), but things haven't worked out Cup-wise, his production has seen significant drop offs, he will be 40 soon, AND he is a UFA....and rumor is, the Rangers aren't falling over themselves looking to re-sign him to another contract. If the Rangers DO re-sign him, it would be for a very minimal contract most likely....whether MSL would take it or just call it a career isn't known at this time.I've mentioned on other threads that if the Isles wanted to take a chance on him, he could possibly play for them....would keep him in the same market, the Isles are now a playoff contender, albeit one still missing a piece or three to be a real SC contender, and there he would play with a more dynamic offense oriented team, as opposed to the Rangers, who while fast, seem to be more a defense oriented team. But even if the Isles wanted him and MSL decided to go that way, could he even keep up with the speed of the NHL anymore?Maybe his body is fine, but is he mentally still prepared to go through the preparation during the off season, then on to the 82 regular season grind again, then onto the playoffs for another possible 28 grueling games? What say HF.net? Has MSL done enough in his career and should just call it quits, or do you think he has enough in the tank, in the right circumstance (whatever that is) to contribute and try to get himself one more Cup? If not with the Rangers or Isles, then with whom?Anywhere else would take him away from family....unless he were to go to Boston, or even Montreal, where he would be further from family (maybe not Boston), but not like he goes to Vancouver, Los Angeles, or Anaheim. And does he FIT in with anyone other than the Rangers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 @TropicalFruitGirl26 You can take the dog out of the fight, but you can't take the fight out of the dog. Much like Gagne, he would miss the teammates, coming to the rink, he strikes me as the type that will have to be forced out, not quit. I suspect he signs one year deals from this point on, but he has a few good seasons left in him, especially on a team that has a lot of youngsters he can mentor....show them what being a successful NHL'er is all about...on and off the ice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TropicalFruitGirl26 Posted June 4, 2015 Author Share Posted June 4, 2015 @TropicalFruitGirl26 You can take the dog out of the fight, but you can't take the fight out of the dog. Much like Gagne, he would miss the teammates, coming to the rink, he strikes me as the type that will have to be forced out, not quit. I suspect he signs one year deals from this point on, but he has a few good seasons left in him, especially on a team that has a lot of youngsters he can mentor....show them what being a successful NHL'er is all about...on and off the ice. This is what I wonder most about.His desire to continue to take the abuse his body takes in any given season.Not calling him soft by a long shot, but I imagine at some point, even the most finely tuned athlete just gets "tired" of being beat on, night after night, week after week. It's not like he DOESN'T have a Cup to his credit (along with a couple Art Ross's, all star appearances, a few Lady Byngs, and a Hart).He could walk away this off season and probably STILL be a HOF candidate and he can say "He's done it all". But, much like Martin Brodeur, I suspect you are right....if mentally he is still up to the challenge, he MAY have to be forced out.Where at one time he was one of the more dynamic, fast, and dangerous offensive threats, he seems average at best and behind the times at worst. I wouldn't have minded seeing him grab one more Cup (and maybe that's where all this contemplation is coming from...that ONE MORE CUP), but he had the misfortune of running into his former team in the ECF, and the Kings last season.I think, had he won last year, he could probably more easily call it a career, win or lose, after THIS year. Again, sorta like Marty Brodeur, who came oh-so-close against the Kings, probably left that taste in his mouth, and he refused to just 'go away' and tried chasing down that one last Cup. I am still a MSL fan.I know some Bolts fans who no longer are because he wanted a trade out of Tampa.Those people, IMO, are ignorant. Marty has done so much for the Lightning that, in my eyes, a disagreement with Yzerman and him wanting out should NOT tarnish that. I'd like to see the 39-40 yr old MSL continue to play...if he still wants to and if he still can...and find success.What I DON'T want to see, is a guy just hanging on a bit too long and seeing some years of poor performance followed by cruel media and fan scrutiny over it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishbulb Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 At this point, imo, he's just tarnishing his own greatness. While he still has enough talent to 'get by' he did not look like a top-6 forward to me this year/playoffs. He's got nothing to prove to anyone. Learn from Brodeur and move on before you become a shell of your former great self. He's already well down that path unfortunately and I think he should pull the plug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samifan Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 Just glad Homer is not still in charge or he would sign MSL to reunite with VLC in attempt to rekindle their Tampa magic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yave1964 Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 He wants to return to the NYR with his best friend Boyle, post after post after post leading up to the end of the season where he said so. Slats says he wants him back if he can fit it into the little remaining budget the team has. His poor postseason likely played into the Rangers hands as far as resigning him. He hurt his market value. He is no longer a top line player but he still has a 50 point year in him, IMHO. He wants one more year, I think the Rangers give it to him. If not, Sather looks foolish for giving up Callahan for a year and a half from Marty, especially not winning a cup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JagerMeister Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 This was a guy who was second in points on his team (I think). He had similiar stats to Jagr when he was in the Flyers, and Jagr was around the same age as well. Look at Jagr during his Boston playoff run, everyone thought he was done. But then he led his team in points a year later, and was 28th in points in the whole league. Now, both of these guys are fitness freaks. and I believe MSL can have a couple more decent seasons in him before he is done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander Clueless Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 He'll go to Chicago. Like everyone else. Actually wait, it's LA's turn to win next year, so maybe he'll go there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fanaticV3.0 Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 How dare anyone suggest another man not be allowed to do what he loves? Who are we to deprive him of that opportunity? If he wants to play, let the man play. Oh....this isn't the Gagne thread? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pilldoc Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 Just glad Homer is not still in charge or he would sign MSL to reunite with VLC in attempt to rekindle their Tampa magic. oh the horror...... great then we could have another behemoth contract to deal with...... did not realize MSL is 40..man I'm getting old. If another team is indeed interested what type of numbers can one expect from MSL? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TropicalFruitGirl26 Posted June 11, 2015 Author Share Posted June 11, 2015 oh the horror...... great then we could have another behemoth contract to deal with...... did not realize MSL is 40..man I'm getting old. If another team is indeed interested what type of numbers can one expect from MSL? Well, assuming MSL heart is still in preparing for and grinding through a season, I think @yave1964 pretty much hit the nail on the head with 50 pts or so.Perhaps he still has one or two more seasons of about 20-25 goals, maybe 20-25 assists to go along with that, give or take. Also, he would have to be properly 'fit' into a line (preferrable a good 2nd line), so that his deficiencies aren't exposed to the point where people will be "Oh well, he's 40, he's not gonna win a scoring title again, he is done". If he is put on a team's 2nd line, with some decent linemates, I think he can hit that 45-50 pt mark, still be considered relevant, and be viewed as by others as a player that still has to be accounted for.MSL obviously is no longer a top line winger, and his play style doesn't lend itself particularly well for a 3rd or 4th line wing position. He may still do well as a PP specialist and can probably do some fill in work as a part time PK'er....but 2nd line 5 on 5 and ppl not expecting him to carry whatever team he is on would probably suit him best.He would still carry that voice of experience and leadership in the locker room, and can still serve as inspiration to younger teammates who can look at him and go, "man that guy is 40, only a fraction of what he used to be, but STILL works hard and gets things done out there......I gotta be able to at LEAST match him" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murraycraven Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 If not, Sather looks foolish for giving up Callahan for a year and a half from Marty, especially not winning a cup. I dont think that really matters honestly - Slather looks like an idiot now for that deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fanaticV3.0 Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 21 goals, 52 points, and 74 games played at 39 does not say "done" to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TropicalFruitGirl26 Posted July 2, 2015 Author Share Posted July 2, 2015 Thread BUMP.. And it's official, as per NHL.com, among other sources: http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=773696&navid=nhl:topheads I know MSL wanted one more ring to add to his 2004 one, but the man can truly retire with no regrets IMO.Apparently, despite his physical fitness, his heart and mind were not with grinding through another season....at least, it appears that way judging by his commentary. Personal and family life centered around his 3 sons seem to be the focus now. Thank you Marty....despite some cement headed Tampa Bay fans dropping some hate on you because of the way you left, THIS fan realizes the good you did for the Tampa Bay organization.You helped make them relevant, you put them on the playoff map, and help usher in future stars such as VLC, Brad Richards, Dan Boyle, Victor Hedman, and Steve Stamkos Even though you started your NHL career a Calgary Flame and ended it a New York Ranger, your most significant legacy will be as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and you will always be a Bolt to me! HOF worthy?I think so. Wishing him luck and happiness with his family..... His goal song when he put the biscuit in the basket in Tampa Bay: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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