Leafs sign fourth liner Martin, injecting size and physicality to forward group

By Staff The Canadian Press

Posted July 1, 2016 5:12 pm EST

1 min read

This article is more than 7 years old and some information may not be up to date.

Florida Panthers defenseman Brian Campbell (51) is checked by New York Islanders left wing Matt Martin (17) during the first period of Game 5 of an NHL hockey first-round Stanley Cup playoff series, in an April 22, 2016 file photo taken in Sunrise, Florida. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Alan Diaz

The Toronto Maple Leafs added a big, physical piece to their forward group by inking Matt Martin to a four-year deal on Friday.

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The deal carries a reported US$2.5 million cap hit for the six-foot-three winger.

Martin has led the league in hits for five-straight years, dishing out with 365 last season or about 4 1/2 per game.

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Martin also chipped in offensively for the New York Islanders’

highly-regarded fourth line, scoring a career-high 10 goals while also adding nine assists.

Leafs head coach Mike Babcock suggested last season that the club would look to add more grit and physicality in the summer – Martin the obvious fit to that need.

Martin, a Windsor, Ont., native, was the 148th overall pick of the 2008 draft.