Photo Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher signed free agent Martin Jones to a one-year deal, worth $2 million. He has a tremendous 6’4 frame, and he ever gives up on a play. Jones is athletic, and durable. Jones played in 60+ games each of his first four seasons for the San Jose Sharks. San Jose made the choice to buyout the remaining three years of his contract, as Jones’s numbers have been in a decline the past few years.
While Jones’ signing upgrades the Flyers goaltending, he is happy and willing to work with Carter Hart, “I’m coming into play the best that I can, to push Carter,” Jones said. “He’s obviously a very talented young goalie. If we can push each other to be better, that’s going to be the best thing for the team.”
Philadelphia is hoping a familiar face in Kim Dillabaugh, the team’s goaltending coach and former coach of Jones’s can restore his confidence to make him flourish once again. They spent time together in the Los Angeles Kings system. As the backup to Jonathan Quick, Jones appeared in 19 games while posting a 12-6-0 record in 2013-14. He also finished with a GAA of 1.81 and .934 Save Percentage.
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“Definitely was on my mind. We had a great relationship when I was in Manchester. He knows my game very well and we know how to work together. That was a factor for sure. Hopefully we can sort of pick up where we left off and hopefully get my game back trending where it was a few years ago.”– Martin Jones on Kim Dillabaugh
The Sharks would not have made it to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2016 without Jones. Jones kicked butt that entire playoffs, and that’s what he brings to the young Carter Hart. A winning pedigree as he has been through the ringer, “Experience is always a helpful thing,” Jones said. “Making playoffs is obviously the first step. Bringing in some of these guys, like Yandle and some of these other veterans, that’s always a good thing when you can lean on guys that have experience. Hopefully, that that helps us move us along here.”
A happy Hart would go a long way for his development, and Jones will sure bring tutelage and mentorship for the young 22-year-old netminder. Jones has not had his best years the past few years, as he posted a 3.28 GAA, and a .896 Save Percentage in 34 games played this past season for starters, but he has revenge on his mind:
“For me, I wasn’t happy with the way the last two seasons went. I don’t need that to motivate me. Obviously, I think I have something to prove now. Anytime you get a little extra motivation that can be helpful. For me, I know what my expectations are of myself and they’re a lot higher than what the last few seasons have shown.”– Martin Jones
These numbers would not fly with Flyers fans that’s for sure, but he owns a 2.60 GAA, and a .906 Save Percentage in the playoffs for his career.
The hope is Jones can resurrect his career with the orange and black, and guide the young Hart to a successful NHL career in the same token. How this will end is anyone’s guess, but let’s give this a chance to work first.
