The Flyers have found numerous ways to upgrade a roster that struggled mightily last season. Chuck Fletcher revamped a locker room that appeared it was in need of a culture change. He shipped out long-time veterans and brought in more than a few fresh faces.
One of those fresh faces came in the form of a backup goaltender: Martin Jones. A quick glance at the numbers and it is fair to wonder why this was the choice the team made. The team was linked to Braden Holtby but that obviously never materialized. He signed in Dallas for the same price as Jones, but for only one year. It was rumored he wanted to stay out west which explains why the Flyers went elsewhere for a backup.
The backup they chose, however, has struggled during his last few seasons in San Jose. After a solid first few years with the Sharks, Jones has posted an .896 SV% in each of the last three years. And his GAA has gotten worse each season. His workload previously may have had something to do with that according to his former coach. He played in 60+ games each of his first four seasons there. Nevertheless, San Jose made the choice to buyout the remaining three years of his contract, sending him to free agency early.
While Jones’ signing upgrades the Flyers goaltending, his current decline is still troublesome. But Philadelphia is hoping a familiar face can turn things around. Kim Dillabaugh, the team’s goaltending coach, knows Jones very well. He worked with him during his time in the Los Angeles Kings system. That is where Jones flourished during the beginning of his career.
Signed as a free agent in 2008, Jones spent three plus seasons at the AHL level before making his NHL debut in 2013. With the Manchester Monarchs, Jones put up impressive numbers. He never finished below a .919 SV% and averaged around a 2.42 GAA. But it was the start he had to his NHL career that opened eyes. After debuting in 2013, Jones won the first eight games of his career, tying Bob Froese’s record from the 1982-83 season.
As the backup to Jonathan Quick, Jones appeared in 19 games and posted a 12-6-0 record. His GAA (1.81) and SV% (.934) still stand as the best of his career. While appearing in 15 games the following season, he managed to win 11 of those games. The three shutouts from that season gave him seven total, making him the fastest goaltender in NHL history since 1938-39 to record that many shutouts that quickly. He accomplished the feat in 29 games while the record sits at 22 games.
His strong numbers followed him to San Jose after he was traded during the off-season in 2015. Though, he was a member of the Bruins for four days in between. He flourished the next four seasons as the Sharks starter. He helped lead them to the Stanley Cup Final in 2016, winning 14 games in the postseason. That was after appearing in 65 regular season games, 46 more games then he had ever started in one year. He only had 34 NHL games to his name before that season.
Jones had four 30+ win seasons to start his career with the Sharks. Even with those 30+ wins, Jones saw his other stats trending in the wrong direction. Whether the amount of games was finally wearing on him or something else played a factor, the numbers weren’t backing what looked like strong play. He was still starting a majority of games, but his win totals dropped dramatically.
After winning 36 games during the 2018-19 season, Jones has won just 35 games during the last two seasons combined. Reuniting with Dillabaugh, the Flyers are banking on the goaltending coach’s ability to bring the best out of Jones.
"“Martin Jones is a guy who has played really well in this league for a long time…He has over 60 games of playoff experience. Again, won 30 games in this league multiple times. He’s only 31 years of age. And perhaps as importantly as all of those points, he’s very familiar with Kim Dallabaugh. And he and Kim have a strong relationship. And I think they both feel strongly that they can do the things they need to do to get Martin’s game going the way everybody would like to see it go.”"
Fletcher also mentioned how Jones will be coming into a tandem role now and may have more time to reset and recharge during practice. And as always, a new environment could help him get back to the player he once was. His playoff experience is a bonus as well. For a young goaltender like Carter Hart, someone who has plenty of experience could help him re-find what he lost last season as well.
Jones mentioned something similar in his own press conference on how he and Hart can work together to bring out the best in each other. That is certainly something else the Flyers need to happen. Goaltending was one of their biggest downfalls last season. With a potentially improved offense and defense, if the goaltending can follow up, the Flyers have a chance.
Taking a chance on a player potentially on the downfall of his career is a risky situation. The Flyers have to hope that a new situation and a familiar face bring him back.