This Day in Buffalo Sports History: A one-sided deal, eventually
March 10, 1981-- At the end of the 1979-80 season, Rick Martin was one of the top scorers in the National Hockey League. He had scored 45 goals, his best season since 1975-76, and helped the Sabres reach the semifinals in the spring of 1980.
It went straight downhill from there, at least for Martin.
The left winger injured his knee and only scored seven goals in 23 games through the first part of 1980-81 season. It was easy to wonder about his long-term future, knee injuries being what they were at the time. What's more, Martin believed the Sabres were trying to rush him back into the lineup before he was ready.
The Los Angeles Kings didn't care about that. They sent a first- and third-round draft choice in 1983 to the Sabres for Martin. That package actually represents a revision, since the Kings weren't too happy with the Sabres when they saw Martin's physical condition at the time of the deal.
Martin played in one game for the Kings that season, scoring a goal with an assist. The next season, the winger had four points in three games. And that was it.
What about the Sabres? They used the first rounder to take Tom Barrasso, who probably was the best 18-year-old goalie in NHL history in 1983-84. The Sabres even won a legal fight with Martin, who claimed the team damaged his career with its actions in that year.
At least Martin eventually settled his differences with Sabre management, and had his number retired.
--- Budd Bailey
