It appears that Chuck has found his backup goalie. As free agency opened today a frenzy ensued, signings were being announced every 30 seconds it felt like and now here come the Flyers. The Flyers signed former San Jose Sharks goaltender Martin Jones to a one year, $2 million deal.

Martin Jones to PHI

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 28, 2021

It was inevitable that the Flyers were going to sign a back-up goalie to take some of the load of Carter Hart, but I was definitely not expecting Martin Jones. During the Sharks deep playoff runs around 2016-17 Martin Jones was an animal and he almost backstopped them all the way to Stanley Cup… but he is not that guy anymore.

In fact, in each of his last three seasons he has posted a .896 save percentage with his GAA (goals against average) being over 3 every time. Chuck Fletcher appears to be taking yet another gamble with this latest signing as he’s hoping for a bounce back out of Jones. His role will be more limited since Carter Hart is at the top of the totem pole but as Brian Elliott showed us multiple times, a solid backup is so crucial in this league.

The Philadelphia Flyers cap space now rests at 8.81 million with multiple RFAs and a depth forward singing to come. Chuck may have something else up his sleeve as well, so it’s going to be an entertaining rest of the week.

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