Islanders website: Reports Radek Martinek signs a three year contract extension today.
"Our organization has felt for a while that Radek is one of the most underrated defensemen in the league," said Islanders general manager Garth Snow. "He is a very steady defenseman in both zones and he plays with a lot of grit. It was a priority for us to keep Radek an Islander beyond this season. We're very happy he was as dedicated to staying an Islander as we were to keeping him here."
"The Islanders were the NHL team that drafted me and Long Island has become a second home," Martinek said this morning. "I never even considered the possibility of playing for another team. I'm looking forward to this season and many more to come as an Islander."
"That's great news to start the season," said Islanders head coach Ted Nolan. "I'm happy for Marty because he's earned this, but I'm just as happy for our team and our fans because we just locked up one of our key veteran defensemen."
Greg Logan's Newsday Blog: Reports three-year extension worth a total of $4.5 million. Martinek is set to make $700,000 this season before the new deal kicks in next year and runs through the 2010-11 season.
NYI Fan Central Comments:
Outstanding move and a player they needed to lock up long term. Despite his injuries anyone watching his game knows how his play improved immesurably the last two seasons as he looks more and more confident. Martinek's ability to clear the puck and create a rush is something very under-rated not only on this roster but around the league. When healthy and at his best his play is on a level with former Islander Kenny Jonsson.