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The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed goaltender Martin Jones to a one-year contract worth $875,000. The 33-year-old had a 27-13-3 record with the Seattle Kraken last season, with a 2.99 GAA, .887 save percentage and three shutouts.
Jones began his career with the Los Angeles Kings where he won a Cup as a backup to Jonathan Quick, was dealt to Boston and on to San Jose in 2015, where he played six season and went to a Stanley Cup Final with the Sharks in 2016. After being bought out by the Sharks in 2021, he played one season with Philadelphia and last season as a backup, and in 10 seasons has collected a 225-163-35 record, 2.71 GAA, .905 save percentage and 28 shutouts through 444 career regular-season NHL games and a 2.36 GAA and .917 save percentage in 63 career playoff games.
Leafs sign Martin Jones for 1 year $875K.
— Rink Rat Report (@RinkRatReport) August 9, 2023
Solid signing as he’ll most likely be the 3rd goaltender called up for insurance purposes.pic.twitter.com/FHEQnwCUAV
The contract is not surprising in the wake of the departure of Erik Kallgren to New Jersey and the announcement that Matt Murray would be placed on LTIR for next season. The Leafs have only two goalies in Ilya Samsonov and Joseph Woll with NHL experience and adding a third was an imperative. Woll does not have waiver exemption for next season, so it is likely that Jones will be the third goalie playing with the AHL Toronto Marlies after clearing waivers, while Samsonov and Woll make up the tandem with the Leafs.
We are saddened to learn that former Maple Leaf Leigh Verstraete has passed away.
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) August 8, 2023
Our thoughts are with Leigh's family and friends. pic.twitter.com/DrgCy0WBo0