San Jose Sharks can realistically move on from Martin Jones

The San Jose Sharks have a decision to make in regards to goaltender Martin Jones. Should they ride out his contract or get rid of him somehow? If they decide to move on though, just how possible is it?

After a great start to his San Jose Sharks‘ career, goalie Martin Jones signed a six-year contract extension that started last season.

Jones’ extension was well-deserved, as his first three seasons with the Sharks were very good. Over those three years, Jones played in 190 games and sported a 2.41 goals-against average (GAA), .915 save percentage (SV%), 12 shutouts, and .585 quality start percentage (QS%).

His first two seasons with the Sharks didn’t go unnoticed by the hockey world, as he finished top-10 in Vezina voting both seasons. However, once Jones’ extension went into effect, his performance drastically regressed.

After having a good season the year before — playing in 60 games with a 2.55 GAA, .915 SV%, four shutouts, and .600 QS% — Jones had an absolutely abysmal season playing in 62 games with a 2.94 GAA, .896 SV%, three shutouts, and .435 QS%.

Hoping it was just a down season for Jones, the Sharks went into this season with Jones as the starter with the hope he would bounce back. However, that didn’t happen and it continues to look like it will not happen.

Because of his continued putrid level of play, Jones’ playing time has been cut down compared to his past seasons with the Sharks. So far this season, Jones has only played in 41 games. In those 41 games, he has a 3.00 GAA, .896 SV%, two shutouts, and .385 QS%.

Jones has shown spurts of his former self this season but hasn’t been able to sustain it for more than a few starts in a row. His inconsistency has been a huge problem with his game over the past two seasons and if he can’t fix it, the odds of him having a bounce-back season are very slim.

With Jones seemingly not being able to live up to the price of his contract, is it possible for the Sharks to move on from him?