Marty St. Louis Tells TSN That He Wants to Play Beyond This Year

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Marty wants to play beyond this season (Getty)

Marty wants to play beyond this season (Getty)

Martin St. Louis is 39 years old and in the final year of a 4 year contract worth 22.5 million dollars. Marty appeared recently on TSN Radio to discuss being a spokesman with Crest and his future.

“I definitely want to play more than one year,” he told the listening audience. “When camp starts I am sure that we will talk about it. They had a lot to do and I wasn’t too worried about it.”

The they he is referring to are the NY Rangers who will seek to extend MSL’s contract beyond this season. However, for how long and how much?

His current contract comes with a cap hit of 5.25 million per season. You would have to assume that number will be very similar on his next deal. With the salary cap ceiling expected to rise, it shouldn’t be a large concern.

The real question is for how long? We know that he is in top physical condition and said as much on the show. “I have a trainer now in Connecticut for 9 years,” MSL explained. “It’s his job to get me prepared and I need to prepare myself. Every player in the league has that now. Whether it’s 4 months, 3 months, you put your time in and get the result that you want.”

Can he produce at 40 and beyond? We believe so.

Back in March, (he was 38 at the time) we wrote a story centered around just this question.

Marty St. Louis is 38 and is close to a point per game pace. He is still producing so what gives? Well today’s athletes take much better care of themselves for starters. So let’s look at players in the modern era that have played well past their 40th birthday to get our answer. For that, we start with our very own Mark Messier.

Mark Messier: The Slayer of Curses (AP)

Mark was nicknamed “The Moose” in Edmonton because he was built like one. Messier was the embodiment of what a power center was in the NHL for much of the 80’s and 90’s. We all know how great Mess was, but we’re looking for clues on how St. Louis will produce in his 40’s. Here are Mark’s stats from 38 on:

Age Tm GP G A PTS
38 VAN 59 13 35 48
39 VAN 66 17 37 54
40 NYR 82 24 43 67
41 NYR 41 7 16 23
42 NYR 78 18 22 40
43 NYR 76 18 25 43

When you see these numbers you start to worry if the bottom is about to drop off soon with St. Louis. Messier was far from a point a game player by this time and his style took a toll on his body. However, the sharpest decline comes at the magic number of 41. But, St. Louis is not a power forward, he is a finesse guy. So is there a better comparable? You bet and he is still playing today, Teemu Selanne.

Teemu Selanne is an elite forward built to last. (AP)

Selanne and St. Louis are scoring forwards who make room for themselves on the ice using their speed and brains. One glance at Teemu’s stats and you can see a glimpse of what the future could hold for the newest Ranger.

Age Tm GP G A PTS
38 ANA 65 27 27 54
39 ANA 54 27 21 48
40 ANA 73 31 49 80
41 ANA 82 26 40 66
42 ANA 46 12 12 24
43 ANA 49 7 13 20

While Teemu may have dipped a bit at 39, he rebounded in style at the age of 40! 80 points in 73 games is mind blowing. Sure he slipped the next season to 66 points, but he played every game and looks to be capable to continue doing so.

The numbers do reveal that his decline started at 41 also and continues to fade with limited playing time to boot. Can Marty St. Louis defy the odds and produce past 41?

Only he and time will answer that question, but there is no reason not to believe that St. Louis will produce at high level for the next 2-3 seasons. Which poses a very interesting question to Sather next summer when he is a UFA. Should the Rangers extend him?

As we answered then, we will answer now – YES!

The Rangers are far better team with his leadership, professionalism and most of all, his production.

So when the season starts and the Rangers future picture becomes clearer, Mr. Sather should get MSL extended. The logical contract would be for 2 years with a club option for a third.

It’s a contract that will not only benefit MSL and his family, but the Rangers and their young players as well.

By Anthony Scultore

Anthony Scultore has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL since 2014. His work also appears at... More about Anthony Scultore

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