Sharks sign Martin Jones to 3-year, $9 million contract
San Jose now has a shade under $10 million to play with in free agency.
Avoiding any possibility of an offer sheet when free agency opens tomorrow, the Sharks have signed goalie Martin Jones to a 3-year, $9 million contract hours after acquiring him from the Boston Bruins for a 2016 1st round pick and Sean Kuraly. Given that 25 NHL goalies will carry a greater cap hit next season, that's a very reasonable price to pay for the Sharks' new starter and could turn out to be a steal by the end of its term if Jones reaches his potential.
With the signing, the Sharks have about $9.8 million in cap space to fill anywhere between one and three roster spots on their blueline depending on which of Mirco Mueller and Matt Tennyson (he's on a one-way in 2015-16) they intend to play next year. That's more than enough room to sign one of the many impact UFA defensemen available tomorrow and, if they're willing to spend to the ceiling, that probably gives the Sharks enough space to make an upgrade to their forward corps too.