The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that they have signed depth defender Martin Marincin to a one-year contract extension, valued at $700,000.

Marincin, who will turn 28 next month, has appeared in 13 games for the Leafs this year, producing a whopping zero points, with a 52.1% CF and a 49.8% expected goals share. He’s also logged minutes on the penalty kill, where his great reach and decent positioning are assets and his, uh, fascinating decision-making with the puck is less important.

While he’s a little dubious by the eye-test of both old-school fans and just people with eyes, Marincin is the epitome of a seventh defenceman: he’s capable of playing a regular shift without getting crushed, his fancy stats are surprisingly decent or even good, he’s apparently a well-liked locker-room presence, and he will serve in the AHL (where he is a top-pair defender) without complaint. Some fans remember his infamous miscues, but those fans need to accept the reality: Martin Marincin is eternal. His time is without beginning and without end, and when the Leafs get a Cup, Marincin will be there to lift it, smiling his goofy grin. He will then almost drop it before handing it off to Rasmus Sandin.

Welcome back, Marmar!

Free Agents and Contracts