NHL News: Martin Jones, Easton Cowan, and Caleb Jones
Ryan Gagne
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Today’s NHL news follows up on the latest regarding Martin Jones, Easton Cowen, and Caleb Jones.
Whether you are into the latest trade buzz, signing news, and more, stick with The Daily Goal Horn.
Maple Leafs sign another goalie, inking Martin Jones to a one-year deal
The Toronto Maple Leafs have had a busy summer regarding their goaltending situation. First, they lost Ilya Samsonov’s arbitration case and had to pay the Russian netminder $3.55 million, a tad bit more than they initially offered, $2.6 million. Although Samsonov did not get the $4.9 million he asked for, he’ll be a free agent next summer and could get a hefty raise.
However, the Maple Leafs are still millions over the cap, so they placed Matt Murray on long-term injured reserve to save some money. Ultimately, after that move, the team would roll with Samsonov as the starter and Joseph Woll as the backup. But Toronto just signed Martin Jones to a one-year deal worth $875,000. Although they are still not under the cap, this deal is a low-risk, high-reward signing.
Jones is a veteran of 444 games with the Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, Philadelphia Flyers, and recently the Seattle Kraken. Although he has a Stanley Cup ring as a backup from 2014, he’s only carried a team (San Jose) to the conference final on one occasion. Ultimately, he’s headed to Toronto to provide relief for Samsonov and has a career .905 save percentage and 2.71 goals-against average.
Toronto’s 2023 first-round pick, Easton Cowan, signs an entry-level contract
The Maple Leafs were busy handing out more money on Thursday, agreeing to terms with their top draft pick from 2023, Easton Cowan. Initially, Toronto had no first-round picks after trading it away to St. Louis on Feb. 17. However, they regained a spot in the order with a trade with Washington on Feb. 28.
Statistically, Cowen, who last played with the London Knights in Ontario Hockey League, scored 20 goals and finished the year with 53 points. Ultimately, the 18-year-old is on the books for $950,000 for the next three seasons. As of today, the team remains $13.25 million over the cap.
The Hurricanes bring in an eighth defenseman with the Caleb Jones deal
After getting swept in the Eastern Conference Final, the Carolina Hurricanes targeted defensemen in free agency, obtaining the biggest name on the market Dmitri Orlov. Despite already having Brent Burns, Jacob Slavin, and Brady Skjei in the lineup, the team appeared heavily interested in reigning Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson.
However, Karlsson went to the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Hurricanes signed Tony Deangelo to return for a second tour with the club. Interestingly, the team wanted more NHL-caliber defenders, announcing on Thursday that they agreed to terms with Caleb Jones.
Jones, a fourth-round pick of the Edmonton Oilers in 2015, is coming to Carolina with a cap hit of $775,000 after scoring 16 points in 73 with the Chicago Blackhawks last season. Thus far, in 217 career games, he’s tallied 50 points and is a minus-39 with the Oilers and Blackhawks. Currently, the Hurricanes have 12 forwards, eight defensemen, three goalies, and $920,583 space under the cap.