The Toronto Maple Leafs ambled into the summer months with plenty of unanswered questions on the books, most notably over contract talks involving star forwards Auston Matthews and William Nylander. Martin Jones
While those blue chip debates remain unresolved on the desk of newly-appointed general manager Brad Treliving, the Maple Leafs moved one step closer to a certain future on Wednesday [9 August], with the capture of veteran netminder Martin Jones.
Before Toronto unveiled Jones as their latest free agent addition, the franchise faced an uncertain future in the crease.
In July, Matt Murray was placed on long-term injury reserve (LTIR) to start the season, meaning there was a clear need for insurance between the pipes behind presumptive starter Ilya Samsonov and American Hockey League graduate Joseph Woll.
Martin Jones, now of the Toronto Maple Leafs (Image: NHL)
In addition to the issue of organisational depth, there are still questions for Toronto’s tandem to answer.
Namely, will Samsonov, who only has 131 appearances under his belt from his four-year NHL career, be able to shoulder a heavier workload? Woll, with fewer than a dozen major league outings to his name, remains an unknown quantity despite his encouraging stint with the Maple Leafs last year. Will the Canadian continue to make a positive impression? His general manager isn’t sure.
“Joe, the young guy, he finished off well,” Treliving said at the Nashville draft in June. “I’ve learned sometimes those young guys that finish off well, it doesn’t necessarily mean the start is going to be well.”
Lastly, and possibly most worryingly, how would Toronto function if Samsonov or Woll went down injured?
With those nagging thoughts in mind, Treliving struck a one-year agreement – worth $875,000 – with veteran shot-stopper Jones. But what will he offer the Maple Leafs?
Martin Jones signs in Toronto, bolstering Maple Leafs’ goaltending depth
Jones played a miraculous role in the San Jose Sharks’ run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2016, posting a remarkable .923 save percentage through 24 playoff appearances. Seven years later, the Canadian is not the same netminder.
In recent years, Jones has mainly been utilised as a secondary tandem figure, with his statistical output gradually declining with the Sharks, Philadelphia Flyers, and – most recently – Seattle Kraken.
The 33-year-old made 48 regular-season appearances last time around, posting an .887 save percentage behind a playoff-calibre team in Seattle. In other words, his performances fell well below average.
However, the Maple Leafs are unlikely to be too concerned by his recent decline.
In Jones, Treliving has acquired almost 450 games of regular-season experience, compared to less than 150 combined appearances between Samsonov and Woll. For any team harbouring aspirations to win the Stanley Cup, it is always better to have three usable options between the pipes than two.
And that is the catch.
Samsonov, Woll, and Jones are all waiver-eligible, meaning any rival club could claim them if Treliving decides to assign them to the American Hockey League.
“They got Jones for nothing and Woll is someone they developed,” said TSN’s David Alter. “If they lost Jones on waivers it would pretty much be a non-event, like any of their third goalies, whereas Woll is someone they brought through the system and has put up good numbers. I would be shocked if Woll wasn’t claimed [which makes Jones the most likely option]. They’re okay with the risk that they could lose Jones on waivers”
Jones, as the likely odd-man out, is therefore at serious risk of being shipped out of Toronto before he even has the opportunity to make his debut.
At worst, the Maple Leafs have signed a competent goaltender to a team-friendly contract that will never get to take to the ice in their famous blue jerseys. At best, Treliving has secured a quality third backstop to alleviate the pressure placed on Samsonov and Woll.
It is a sensible move for Toronto, who still have major questions to answer over the futures of star forwards Auston Mathews and William Nylander.
