Matt Martin reportedly signs formal PTO with Islanders

The New York Islanders have signed Matt Martin to a formal PTO (professional tryout), per NHL insider Elliotte Friedman on Friday. This type of contract is reserved for veterans who haven't been signed and who are also not guaranteed a roster spot. It's effectively a contract that allows them a chance to make the team with no guarantees.

Elliotte Friedman posted on X:

"[New York Islanders] GM Lou Lamoriello updates Ilya Sorokin, and adds Matt Martin will join the Islanders on a PTO."

This is the Islanders bringing back a familiar face, as Martin, who is 35, has spent 13 of his 15 NHL seasons with the team. He has made 823 appearances since he was its fifth-round pick in 2008.

He briefly played for the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2016 to 2018, but he has otherwise been an Islander entirely. He just had a four-year, $6 million deal that expired before signing the PTO.

This is also a reversal of what general manager Lou Lamoriello had said previously. Per ProHockeyRumors, the GM said in early August:

"We’ll probably be moving on. That isn’t saying things can’t change. We’re talking about two veterans, two quality individuals. Two team leaders and two real good hockey players, so we’ll have to see how things come about."

The Islanders have been busy this offseason, also bringing in Anthony Duclair on a major free-agency contract.

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Matt Martin returns to Islanders while Cal Clutterbuck doesn't

Two veterans were out of a contract with the New York Islanders: Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck. They had played in New York for a long time, with Clutterbuck being around for 11 consecutive seasons and Martin for 13 of his 15 in the NHL.

Matt Martin is returning to the Islanders for the 16th NHL season (Imagn)

Clutterbuck said via FanSided after last postseason:

“I’d love to play and obviously I’d love to play here. This has been home for a very long time. I put a lot into my time here and had great experiences. I will be an Islander for life.”

It seems he will have to pursue other opportunities if he's to continue his NHL career at this stage because the Islanders aren't bringing him back right now.