Hitter Martin says Leafs will be fine without him

TORONTO • Matt Martin will truly miss his role as the Toronto Maple Leafs’ fly swatter.

But he thinks the youthful wards he leaves behind are quite capable of standing up for themselves.

Coach Mike Babcock was clear two years ago that the developing Buds needed “someone to keep the flies away” from Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, Zach Hyman and company, which the NHL hits leader did effectively.

By the end of last season, however, a battle-tested Leaf roster with increasing emphasis on speed and skill required Martin to ride shotgun much less, while the absence of scrapping in playoffs shelved him totally last spring. He returned to the New York Islanders via a July 3 trade.

Martin has no concerns about Matthews, his good friend Marner and the others being able to take it fromhere.

“Auston’s a pretty rare breed,” Martin said Thursday at Marner’s All-Star Invitational skills/charity gala. “He was always physically ready, came in the league at 6-3, 215 pounds. You don’t see that every day. He was a special talent, took the league by storm, had 40 goals his first year and would’ve had 40 if he played a full season lastyear.

“He’ll continue to grow to be one of the best players in the world, if not the best in time. A lot of people can learn from a guy like that.”

Martin found a true kindred spirit in the irreverent Marner, though they’re separated in age by eight years.

“We seemed to click right away,” Martin said. “All these guys I’ll miss, but you’re closer to some than others. Toronto has a lot to be excited about, a bright future ahead with Mitchy, Matthews, Willy (Nylander), you can really go down the list.”

Hyman looks forward to the Leafs asserting themselves even more in 2018-19, but acknowledged Martin’s contributions.

“Matt’s obviously still close with us. You get older, you become a little more accustomed to the league, you know the ins and outs. There aren’t as many fights and what-not anymore, but we have guys who can protect (themselves) from that stuff.”

RY HIGH ON KYLE

Defenceman Morgan Rielly is more pumped than ever after coming east from his home in B.C. to meet with new general manager Kyle Dubas and skate with free-agent prize John Tavares.

“Kyle’s very qualified and very educated. We spoke for a long time. He has a really specific idea about what he wants to do with this club. We want to do the best we can and that’s all he wants. We’re looking forward to getting going. The countdown is on.”

Rielly said he’s glad not to be playing against Tavares any more.

“I was on the ice with him the other day. (Defending him) was very difficult, a big guy, strong skater, great hands.”

M & M TREATS

Babcock has initial plans to play Tavares between Marner and Hyman, but the teaming of Matthews and Marleau, with William Nylander on the right side, could also be a bonanza for poolies.

“Me and Patty are really close,” Matthews said. “He’s been in the league for so long, such a smart player and for his age (39 in six weeks), still skates like the wind. He put up really good numbers last year (27 goals) and he can finish. It speaks for itself.”

If they do click off the hop, it will further discourage rumours of a Babcock-Matthews rift, sparked by their spring summit in Matthews’ Arizona home.

“It was just a discussion and you guys probably looked too much into it,” Matthews maintains.

“It probably would’ve been better if (the meeting) wasn’t so public. The conversation went well and you move on. Both of us hope to be here a long time.”

END OF AN ERA

James van Riemsdyk said he teared up along with many readers of Tyler Bozak’s post in The Players’ Tribune, celebrating his days in Toronto. Both longtime linemates are gone, Bozak to the St. Louis Blues, van Riemsdyk to the Flyers.

“It was pretty much a guarantee that when I looked at the lineup the past six years, I’d look to my right and see Bozie,” van Riemsdyk said. “It will obviously be a transition for me, but I’m excited for the new opportunity.”

JVR credited the Leafs with letting him know early in the free agency process that their cap restrictions were not a mirage and they couldn’t likely afford to resign him and take their anticipated run at a player such as Tavares.

“They were pretty up front. That was good for me, emotionally, to deal with that and look more objectively going into free agency. I found a great situation for myself (five years with his original NHL team at US$35 million).”

CALDER CROSSES OCEAN

The Marlies are making good on a promise that every player on their title team will get the Calder Cup for a day, even those in Europe. This weekend, forward Dmytro Timashov gets it in Sweden, then on to defenceman Martin Marincin in Slovakia.

The Marlies have been shipping it around North America as the Calder does not have the same Hall of Fame escort as Lord Stanley, but a team employee flew with the 81-year-old trophy to Stockholm this week.

The Marlies announced earlier this week they’ve re-signed Toronto-born forward Rich Clune.