In the National Hockey League (NHL), he has served as head coach of the St. Louis Blues, Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens and Florida Panthers.
[1] Martin taught at the Department of Physical Education at Algonquin College for seven years, during which time he coached the Rockland Nats and the Hawkesbury Hawks junior hockey teams.
Martin became the head coach of the Guelph Platers of the OHL in 1985–86, as he took over the rebuilding club, which missed the playoffs the previous season.
In the final game of the tournament, Guelph defeated the Hull Olympiques by a score of 6–2 to capture the Memorial Cup.
Following the season, Martin left the Platers and became the head coach of the St. Louis Blues in the National Hockey League (NHL).
On October 9, 1986, Martin coached and won his first career NHL game, defeating the Los Angeles Kings 4–3.
In the postseason, the Blackhawks defeated the Minnesota North Stars and St. Louis Blues to advance to the Campbell Conference finals for the second straight season.
Quebec saw some improvement in the 1991–92 season, as the club had a 20–48–12 record, however, the team once again finished in last place in the Adams Division, missing the playoffs.
The Nordiques saw great improvement in 1992–93, as the club finished with a 47–27–10 record, earning 104 points, and second place in the Adams Division, qualifying for the postseason.
Martin was assigned to the Nordiques American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Cornwall Aces, as head coach for the 1993–94 season.
Martin moved with the team to Colorado in 1995–96, however, he left the Avalanche on January 24, 1996, to become head coach of the Ottawa Senators.
The club improved slightly under Martin, as he led the team to a 10–24–4 record over their final 38 games, as Ottawa missed the playoffs.
The Senators improved greatly in 1996–97, as Ottawa finished the year with a 31–36–15 record, making the postseason for the first time in team history.
The club had a very strong season in 2000–01, as Ottawa finished with their second Northeast Division title in three years, going 48–21–9–4, earning 109 points, and second in the Eastern Conference.
The Senators struggled at times during the 2001–02, as the club dealt away top player Alexei Yashin to the New York Islanders during the off-season.
The Senators defeated the Flyers in five games, setting up a third straight meeting with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round.
In the postseason, the Senators defeated the New York Islanders in five games in the first round, followed by a six-game series win over the Philadelphia Flyers, as the team reached the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in club history.
On September 3, 2006, the Panthers general manager, Mike Keenan, resigned from the position, and Martin took over the job while remaining the head coach.
The Panthers continued to struggle in 2007–08, as Florida posted a 38–35–9 record, failing to make the playoffs for the third consecutive season under Martin.
Montreal continued their playoff run by defeating the favoured Pittsburgh Penguins in seven games in the second round, reaching the Eastern Conference finals against the Philadelphia Flyers.
[11] Martin joined the Pittsburgh Penguins as an assistant coach under Dan Bylsma for the 2013–14 season, as he was hired for the position on August 9, 2013.
On June 12, 2016, he won his first Stanley Cup in a 4–2 series win against the San Jose Sharks (and nearly dropped it during the on-ice celebration).
On June 11, 2017, Martin won the Cup for the second time as the Penguins defeated the Nashville Predators in a 4–2 series win.
[16] On December 6, 2023, the Ottawa Senators named Martin to assume the role of Senior Advisor to the coaching staff.
[17] He was subsequently promoted to interim head coach December 18, after the firing of D. J. Smith,[18] before being succeeded by Travis Green after the 2023–24 season.