I have to admit, this one is going to be a little tougher for me to write. I’ve been a fan of Martin Biron even before he signed with the Flyers and was overjoyed when I heard he’d be wearing the Orange and Black. I couldn’t wait to see him on the ice and I was one of 17,000 fans chanting his name at the Wach on more than one occasion.
After the 07-08 playoffs came to an end, Marty was scrutinized, but just minorly. We had our top 2 defense men (Timonen and Coburn) out with injuries for the Eastern Conference Final and as most hockey fans know, a good goaltender can be great with a solid D in front of him. Pittsburgh went on to lose in the Stanley Cup Final, and that brought me some relief. Not that the Red Wings won, but that the Penguins didn’t.
We weren’t even to the All-Star Break when there was a goalie controversy in Philly. Who should be our man between the pipes, Marty or Niitty? Of course, I’m on the Marty wagon so I’m screaming from the tops of the mountains that they should stick with Biron. Yes, he’s hit an inconsistent streak, but he’s clutch and a professional. He’ll come out of it. In the second half of the season, it seemed like the tide had turned and #30 Antero Niittymaki would be ‘The Man’. That lasted 3 games and Marty was back in net, playing like the Biron from the season before. The team and the fans were pumped going into the last week of the season, setting up for a strong playoff run.
And then it happened. We all know what it was, I don’t have to explain it. I honestly believed that that elimination game would be the last time we’d see Marty in a Flyers jersey because he was an unrestricted free agent on July 1st.
Rumors of a raise (in the $5 million area) for Marty to resign hit the mill. Many of us laughed at this. There was no way after a 1st round elimination that he was going to get a raise. There were way too many net minders who were also UFAs that would come cheaper than Marty’s $3.25 million. But, one by one, they were being resigned or were too expensive. Enter Ray Emery, stage left. Stanley Cup Final experience, wrapped in a jaded past. Coming off a great season in the KHL, he was looking for one more shot in the big leagues. Paul Holmgren gave it to him, signing him to a one year deal for $1.5 million.
My initial reaction should have been, if Marty comes off this high horse he’s riding on and drop the raise, he can probably still challenge for the starting job. But, I was too wrapped up in the possibility of getting another hot free agent. My top 3 were Clemmensen (NJ), Conklin (Det) and Boucher (SJ) as a back up to Emery. I really hope the third time is the charm because not long after, Brian Boucher gets a two year deal for around $1.9 million.
What does that leave for Marty? As the days passed after July 1st, teams were locking up their tandems and noone was knocking on his door. Niitty signed with Emery’s old team in the KHL, so we knew he’d be working. Then today it was announced on NHL.com that Marty had signed a $1.4 million, one year contract with the Islanders.
Wait a minute… 1.4? 1.4?!? You won’t sign with the Flyers for less than five, you probably could have made 2 or 3 over in the KHL, but you sign THISjoke of a deal with the Islanders? They signed Roloson on July 1st. So you went from being a #1 to being a #2 because you let your head, and your agent for that matter, get too big. What about when DiPietro is healthy? You’re looking at a coach ticket back to the AHL.
Ugh, I need to stop talking about this.
Hey Marty, when you get to Bridgeport, drop me a postcard will ya?