Leafs Add Martin Jones

 

Photo From Sportsnet

Here we are in the first week of August and news around the NHL has begun to pick up again. We, Leaf fans had to sit through weeks of rumours and speculation over the possibility of Erik Karlsson being traded to the Maple Leafs. Thankfully that soap opera has ended with him being traded to the Penguins. Now this afternoon we have a signing to discuss. The Toronto Maple Leafs as you can tell from the headline have signed goaltender Martin Jones. This signing surprised me because there were no rumblings of the Leafs and Jones being a match. Everyone had the Leafs and Brian Elliott as a likely signing. This Jones addition makes sense because Erik Kallgren who was in the Leafs system decided this summer to move on and join the New Jersey Devils. So, adding Jones is smart for the Leafs because he will come to camp and battle Joseph Woll for the backup position. I’m sure many Leaf fans are sitting there assuming Joe Woll is a lock to be Toronto’s backup but let’s pump the breaks for a second. Joe appeared in 28 games split between the AHL and NHL and finished last season with a record of 22-5-1. Very respectable numbers obviously and it shows signs that Woll should have success in the NHL. So, Treliving brought Martin Jones into Toronto because he is a guy who is capable of being a reliable backup goalie for Toronto. Last season Jones posted a record of 27-13-3 with the Seattle Kraken playing an important role in bringing Seattle to their first postseason. The Jones contract is for this one season, and it comes in at a value of $875,000. Joe Woll from here on out would have to clear waivers and there is no doubt if Toronto tried to slip Woll through to the Marlies he would get claimed instantly. So, adding Jones at $875,000 locks him in as the Marlies starter but if Samsonov or Woll go down with an injury then Jones is the guy to step in.

 

That’s all for now thanks as always for reading.