Drafted fifth overall in the 1971 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres, Rick Martin amassed 382 goals in 10 seasons with the Buffalo Sabres.
His rookie season, Martin tallied 44 goals and 30 assists. And that was only just the beginning.
Martin, of course, was a part of one of, if not the best, lines in hockey to ever be assembled: the French Connection. The year prior to Martin's drafting, Gilbert Perreault was drafted in the team's inaugural season. In March 4, 1972, the line was assembled, with the Buffalo Sabres acquiring Rene Robert.
Their first season together, they tallied 95 goals and 199 assists. Just as Martin's rookie season, this was the start of an epic seven seasons together, where the trio became the first in Sabres history to tally over 200 goals.
Rick Martin was the scoring player of the three. Sure, the others scored, but Martin's shot was pinpoint, with Martin amassing two seasons with over 50 goals and a 49 goal season. During the time at which the French Connection was assembled, they missed the playoffs just once, in 1973-1974.
The year after, the trio would play in the Stanley Cup, losing in six games to ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Immer Chriswell
Rick Martin: A Legend Within the Most Legendary Line to Play Hockey Passes Away
March 13th, 2011 by Immer Chriswell Leave a reply »
Advertisement