Martin Jones is reportedly interested in returning to the Toronto Maple Leafs, according to The Athletic’s Joshua Kloke.
Kloke reported that Jones and his family enjoyed living in Toronto and the veteran goaltender would be opening to returning to the Maple Leafs. Jones reportedly formed a strong relationship with Joseph Woll — who is currently projected to be Toronto’s starting goalie entering the 2024-25 season. If Jones is open to signing to the same salary he received in 2023-24, both parties could have mutual interest.
Jones is on an expiring one-year, $875,000 contract that he signed in August with the Maple Leafs. He finished the 2023-24 season with an 11-8-1 record, a .902 save percentage, a 2.87 goals-against average and two shutouts in 19 starts. It was only the second time he has finished with a save percentage above .900 in the past six seasons.
Prior to coming to Toronto, Jones struggled with the Seattle Kraken. The 34-year-old netminder went 27-13-3 in 42 appearances but held a .887 save percentage and a goals-against average just shy of 3.00. He was signed by the Leafs as a third option behind Ilya Samsonov and Woll.
Jones played the role of veteran goaltender to perfection last season, not only on the ice but behind the scenes with both Samsonov and Woll, two goaltenders looking to take the next steps in their respective careers. He stepped up during a critical winter stretch where Samsonov’s form fell off a cliff, necessitating a brief stint in the AHL, and kept the team afloat in the vaunted Atlantic Division.
Toronto represents a stop-gap destination in Jones’ career. If he has any aspirations of taking over as a No. 1 goalie again, Toronto isn’t the best destination but at this juncture, he’s a valued member of the organization whose contributions were vital during a dreary stretch of the schedule. Jones may have earned his roster spot, but nothing has been signed yet.
