Along with Perreault and Rene Robert, Martin was one-third of Buffalo's famed "French Connection" line that propelled the Sabres to contenders. The Left Wing was an impact player out of the gate, scoring 74 Points as a rookie and finishing second for the Calder Trophy. A six-time All-Star, Martin was named to four postseason All-Star teams (two First Team and two Second Team) and would have back-to-back 52 Goal years, lighting the lamp 382 times as a Sabre.
Martin's career was cut short by two significant injuries, the first in 1977 when he was hooked around the neck, causing him to fall and hit his head on the ice. He wasn't quite the same after that, but in 1980, his leg was kneed by Washington Goalie Mike Palmateer, ripping his cartilage and effectively ending his career.
Amazingly, the Sabres were able to package him out to the Los Angeles Kings for two draft picks, one of which would be Tom Barrasso. Martin's number 7 would be retired by the organization in 1995, six years after he and his French Connection linemates were inducted into the Sabres Hall of Fame.
