How the Penguins turned around Martin's game
/Really interesting look by The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review at how the Penguins, in the summer of 2012, sent assistant coach Todd Reirden to see defenseman Paul Martin in his home state of Minnesota.
Martin was coming off a miserable campaign and, in a nutshell, Reirden and Martin devised a different plan for him involving increasing the rearguard's physical and mental strength.
“His overall commitment in all areas of the game,” Reirden said, “managed to go to another level.”
Martin, by most accounts, is playing the best hockey of his career.
“He's just completely different than he was two years ago,” Reirden said. “And it's not always what people notice. He's committed to being in the gym now. He's always had that uncanny ability to make the game look easy. With the added strength and a better conditioning level now, he wins more puck battles. He's winning 50/50 battles now, which gives him the puck more often. And he's great with the puck.
“I like this version of Paul much more than the one two years ago.”