Maple Leafs sign goaltender Martin Jones to one-year deal, but a big hurdle awaits - Toronto Sun

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The Maple Leafs hope they have have their insurance plan in net.

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On Wednesday afternoon, the club announced veteran Martin Jones had signed as a free agent for $875,000 US on a one-year deal.

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Having declared Matt Murray unable to start the season and moved to Long Term Injury Reserve, and barring an injury to starter Ilya Samsonov or backup Joseph Woll before opening night, the plan is for Jones to start the season with the AHL Marlies.

But there is a catch. Jones has to go through waivers before being assigned to the farm, and there is a very real chance, given his experience, solid stats last season in Seattle and cap-friendly contract, that another NHL team claims him.

The Leafs went through a similar scenario with Aaron Dell in 2020, signing him to a one-year deal to be their No. 3 netminder before losing him to the New Jersey Devils, who claimed him on waivers.

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Sending down Woll does not appear to be an option either. Unlike last year, the rookie netminder can’t move freely between the farm and the NHL and would also need to pass through waivers — a chance the Leafs would not be willing to take.

Jones, 33, has a 225-163-35 career record with a 2.71 goals-against average, a .905 save percentage and 28 shutouts through 444 regular-season NHL games split between Seattle, Philadelphia, San Jose and Los Angeles while also posting a 32-27 record alongside a 2.36 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage in 63 career playoff games.

During the 2022-23 season with the Kraken, the North Vancouver, B.C., native had a 27-13-3 record while registering a 2.95 goals-against average, a .887 save percentage and three shutouts.

Jones won the Stanley Cup with Los Angeles in 2014 and was selected to represent San Jose at the NHL all-star game in 2017.

Internationally, Jones captured a gold medal with Canada at the IIHF world championship in 2015 and also helped Canada win a silver medal at the 2010 world junior championship.

lhornby@postmedia.com

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2023-08-09 19:51:58Z
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