Maple Leafs Sign Martin Jones

The Toronto Maple Leafs have gone out and acquired some goaltending insurance as they signed Martin Jones to a one-year, $875,000 contract.

🖊 We’ve signed goaltender Martin Jones to a one-year contract

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) August 9, 2023

Toronto is already a couple of million over the cap and won't be carrying three goaltenders on the active roster. Ilya Samsonov is the starter, which means Joseph Woll will not have some competition for the backup role with Jones. Woll played just six regular season games last season while Jones  went 27-13-3 in 48 games (42 starts).

Jones' numbers were not ideal though and he is more likely to sink into the third string role for the Maple Leafs. He finished last season with a .886 save percentage and the last time he had respectable numbers in net was in 2017-18 with the San Jose Sharks. Only one time since that season has he even reached the .900 SV% mark, and that was with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2021-22 (.900 SV%).

It seems like the new trend for teams to bring in notable third string goalies in case something happens. At the very least, Jones is experienced and might be able to perform better behind a stronger team that he has played for over the past number of years. This is a good signing for the Maple Leafs.

Photo credit: © Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports