San Jose Sharks Add Martin Jones to Goalie Mix
When the San Jose Sharks traded goalie Antti Niemi to the Dallas Stars, it looked like Alex Stalock‘s time had finally arrived. Niemi had been a huge figure in the net for San Jose, starting 296 games and accumulating a 163-92 record in five years. But Stalock, a promising young goalie, had been pushing him, and Niemi’s departure seemed like his opportunity.
2014-2015 was a rough year for Niemi, as he allowed an average of 2.59 goals against, the most in his five-year tenure in San Jose. His 31 wins were his second-lowest total of the five seasons, ahead of only his 24 wins in the strike-shortened 2012-2013 season.
More from Golden Gate Sports
- Raiders: Rookie stock report following Week 3 performance
- 49ers sign new long snapper amidst a flurry of roster moves
- Oakland Athletics win Game 2 of Wild Card round with late-inning drama
- 49ers: George Kittle and Deebo Samuel cleared to return to practice
- 49ers expected to place DE Dee Ford on injured reserve
In 2013-2014, Stalock appeared in 24 games, and allowed just 1.87 goals against, with a .932 save percentage and a 12-5 record, plus two shutouts. He regressed some last year, allowing 2.62 goals per game with a .902 save percentage, leading to an 8-9 record.
But with Niemi headed to the Lone Star State in exchange for the 193rd pick in the draft, which the team used to select defenseman Adam Parsells, Stalock appeared to be the team’s new starting goalie. However, that didn’t last long.
On Tuesday, the Sharks completed a trade with the Boston Bruins, sending them a first-round draft pick in 2016 and unsigned prospect Sean Kuraly, while receiving goalie Martin Jones in return.
The past week has been busy for Jones. Last Thursday, he was traded from the Los Angeles Kings, the Sharks’ archrivals, to the Bruins. Hopefully he hasn’t unpacked his bags yet, because he is on his way back to the west coast.
Live Feed
Blades of Teal
Sharks’ General Manager Doug Wilson said that Jones was “at the top of our list of players we had targeted”, and added “we’re extremely excited to have him on board”.
Jones was set to become a restricted free agent on the first of July. The Sharks got a deal done quickly with Jones, signing him to a three-year, $9 million deal on the same day he was acquired, avoiding any possibility of an offer sheet.
Jones is considered one of the best young and upcoming goalkeepers in hockey, and the numbers prove why. In two seasons with the Kings, Jones played in 34 games, including 29 starts, and racked up a 16-11 record. He’s allowed 1.99 goals against with a .923 save percentage, and has already pitched seven shutouts in his young career.
The 25-year-old British Columbia-native has already shown the Sharks what he can do in three games so far against them. In his rookie year, 2013-2014, Jones started two games against San Jose, and won once while allowing three goals on 53 shots for a .943 save percentage. In his second year, he came in late in a game in relief, and saved all three shots against him in a loss.
For what the Sharks gave up, and what they will end up paying him, Jones is the obvious choice to take the starter’s role. Being viewed as one of the hottest goalies on the market this offseason only backs up his case. Once again, Stalock should be relegated to the role of backup.
The Sharks have a lot of pressing matters to deal with in this offseason. At least now they can check goalie off of their wishlist.