Photo Credit: Our very own Chris Maher
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 back at training camp. “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 was banking on a familiar face in Kim Dillabaugh, the team’s goaltending coach and former coach of Jones’s to restore his confidence to make him flourish once again. Good news folks, it appears to be happening as Jones stopped 27 shots, en route to a 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks, as the Flyers start this Western Canadian road trip with a victory already with two wins in their first three games. 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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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:
*We found a way to scratch and claw and that’s a highly skilled level team with a lot of quickness. We were able to take some of that away and when we needed a save, we got a save.” – Flyers Head Coach Alain Vigneault said following the game
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 last season for starters, but maybe he has revenge on his mind this season.
He is off to a great start this season, as Jones dominated the Canucks. He moved post to post laterally well, and gobbled up the rebounds. For his effort, Jones is now 2-0 as a Flyer with a 2.02 GAA, and a .941 Save Percentage.
“He was All Star tonight.”– Alain Vigneault said of Jones
The hope is Jones can continue to 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.
Flyers Notes:
Claude Giroux appears to be aging like a fine wine, as he now has points in the first six games this season (4g,4a).
Sean Couturier quietly has points in five of the Flyers first six games this season, and leads the orange and black in points with nine (3g,6a).
The Flyers will finish their Western Canadian road trip on Saturday night against the Calgary Flames, as the Flyers go for the full sweep.
