Sharks have found their starting goalie by acquiring Martin Jones
By Liam McGuire
Don Sweeney has been justifiably getting killed online for the early returns of his first draft. He sold low on Dougie Hamilton and brought in prospects that were way off the board in the first round. He also locked up Adam McQuaid to a four-year deal and traded another solid asset in a third-round pick for Zac Rinaldo. All-in-all a tough week for the rookie general manager.
Well, Sweeney has turned one of the assets he acquired in the Milan Lucic trade with the L.A. Kings into another future asset as the Bruins have traded goaltender Martin Jones to the San Jose Sharks for a 2016 first-round pick and prospect Sean Kuraly. With a glutton of goalie prospects, the move makes sense for both parties.
Jones is one of the best young backup goalies in the league. He’s done nothing but succeed at the NHL level, posting a 16-11-2 record with a 1.99 GAA and a .923 save percentage, albeit on a very good L.A. Kings team. On the Sharks side of things, acquiring Jones gives them a new starting goalie now that Antti Niemi is locked up in Dallas. Sharks general manager Doug Wilson said they coveted Jones.
“Martin was at the top of our list of players that we had targeted,” said Wilson. “We’re extremely excited to have him on board.”
The trade for Lucic worked out well for the Bruins, as the return now works out to be a 2016 first rounder, Jakub Zboril and Colin Miller. While the team has made some boneheaded moves, this one ranks among the best of them.
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