Paul Martin On Waivers For Contract Buyout

It wasn’t all bad

The San Jose Sharks announced today that they would buy out defenseman Paul Martin from the final year of his contract. Martin, 37, joined the Sharks on a four-year deal signed on July 1st, 2015 worth an AAV of $4.85 M per season. Paul Martin’s time in San Jose started off great with the Sharks making the Stanley Cup Final. He would help his defensive partner Brent Burns to a Norris winning season. However, a nagging ankle injury was the start of his undoing as a shark.

The Sharks played without Martin for most of the season while he was on the Injured Reserve. He also spent a great deal of time on the San Jose Barracuda or the press box. Sharks rookie Joakim Ryan stepped up in a big way proving he could play in the NHL. He also proved that he could play with Brent Burns on a regular basis. Brent Burns partners generally take too much of the blame for his defensive lapses, Ryan suffered from this as well.

An injury to Joakim Ryan saw Martin able to re-enter the lineup and play seven playoff games before being replaced once more by Joakim Ryan.  In those 7 games, Martin had no points and was a -2.

A Class Act

In what had to be a difficult season for Paul Martin, he handled it in a way that should be held up as an example of class. Martin was a true professional in his time as a Shark from start to finish never complaining in the media. He was never a distraction for the team while being in the press box or with the Barracuda in the AHL a career first for the veteran defenceman. As you can see below many in the media and teammates all had nice things to say when the news was released.

Not surprising. It should be said that Martin was a total pro throughout what had to be a difficult year for him. https://t.co/cvfGh6EXVQ

— Kevin Kurz (@KKurzNHL) June 22, 2018

One of the best teammates, professionals you will find in pro sports. A great mentor to every player in the Sharks organization. https://t.co/qg0nQ6yhdc

— Logan Couture (@Logancouture) June 22, 2018

Paul Martin is a pro’s pro, a class act on and off the ice. Was a major help to Brent Burns, of course, but was also the #SJSharks King Clancy nominee in 2016 and 2017. Hope he gets a shot elsewhere @ShineALigh7

— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) June 22, 2018

More Cap Space

The Sharks continue to add cap space as the draft and free agency approach. According to Cap Friendly, their total cap space is $18,842,916 once the buyout is complete. If someone as unlikely as it would be decided to claim Martin on waivers that total becomes over $21 M in cap space. Either way, the Sharks are positioned excellently to add to their roster by free agent signing or trade even after signing Tomas Hertl, Dylan DeMelo, and Chris Tierney to new deals.

Buying out Paul Martin's final year gives the #Sharks an additional $2,833,333 in cap space for the upcoming season, resulting in San Jose having a current projected salary cap of $60,657,084.

That is $18,842,916 below the newly announced $79.5M Upper Limit for 2018-19.

— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) June 22, 2018