Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

Martin Jones signed to an entry level contract with the Los Angeles Kings during the 2008 training camp. Re-assigned to Calgary of the WHL shortly after signing.

Despite being under the age of 20 and undrafted, the Kings signed Jones to an entry-level contract under an exception permitted in section 8.9(b)(ii.) of the Collective Bargaining agreement. Using this exception, the Kings managed to pick up a very intriguing project of a prospect without the use of even a draft pick.

2008-09: Jones backstopped the best team in the WHL, the Calgary Hitmen, with a remarkable 45-5-4 record, at or near the top in almost every goaltender stat category for not only the WHL but all of major junior hockey. Some of what Jones accomplished can be attributed to an exceptional team around him, led by fellow Kings prospect Brandon Kozun, that scored in bunches. Jones also backstopped Team Canada in the Russia/Canada ADT Challenge.

2009-10: Jones recorded another season of eye-popping statistics with the Calgary Hitmen, posting a 36-11-1 record, a .919 save percentage, and a 2.21 GAA. He also managed 8 shutouts.

2010-11: Jones appeared in 39 games for the Manchester Monarchs as an AHL rookie; splitting time with fellow Kings’ prospect Jeff Zatkoff. Jones was 23-13 with four shutouts, losing one game in overtime, and had a 2.25 GAA and .924 save percentage. Jones played in four playoff games in the Monarchs’ first round series with eventual Calder Cup champion Binghamton and was 2-1 with a 2.54 GAA and .921 save percentage. He played in one game with the ECHL’s Ontario Reign, stopping 26 of 30 shots in a win.

2011-12: Jones again split the goaltending duties for Kings AHL affiliate Manchester with Jeff Zatkoff. He played 41 games in his second pro season and was 18-17-2 with 1 shutout and had a 2.60 goals against and .919 save percentage. Manchester finished second in the Atlantic Division and lost to Norfolk three games to one in a first round playoff series. Jones played in three playoff games and was 1-1 with a 2.33 goals against and .933 save percentage.

2012-13: Jones played in a career-high 56 games for the Kings AHL affiliate in Manchester in his third pro season. Backed up by veteran Peter Mannino, he was 27-25-4 with 5 shutouts and had a 2.53 goals against and .919 save percentage. The Monarchs finished third in the Atlantic Division and lost to Springfield in a first round playoff series. Jones started all four playoff games and was 1-3 with a 2.16 goals against and .932 save percentage. He was with the Kings during their playoff run but did not see any action. Jones signed a two-year contract with the Kings as a restricted free agent in September, 2013.

Talent Analysis

Jones is a large netminder that covers a lot of the net with both size and solid athleticism. He is good at puck control and gives up few rebounds. While consistency has been the main issue with Jones, he is starting to find more highs than lows as he has matured.

Future

Jones has steadily worked his way into the starting job with the Monarchs posting solid numbers but still struggling to find the consistency of a true No. 1. He shows flashes of brilliance though and if he has another good season is going to be a strong candidate for Jonathan Quick’s backup moving forward.

Photo: Martin Jones of the Los Angeles Kings has struggled to replicate his strong play of last season (courtesy of Minas Panagiotakis/Icon Sportswire)

The Los Angeles Kings have had an up and down season in 2014-15. They are a team that has struggled during the regular season year after year, but this year the team has faced other challenges. With suspensions, injuries, and inconsistent play from several veteran players, the Kings have turned towards some of the younger members to step forward. With a history of young players making a difference (Dwight King and Jordan Nolan in 2012, Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli in 2014), it remains to be seen who will be the 2014-15 spark.

Photo: Winger Valentin Zykov, the 37th overall selection in 2013, was the Kings’ top pick last summer. The Stanley Cup champs still have their 2014 first round pick, slotted at 29th overall (courtesy of Noah Graham/NHLI via Getty Images)

Even though the 2013-14 season that saw the Los Angeles Kings wrap up their second championship in three seasons just ended less than a few weeks ago, it is already time to think about the future.

Photo: Defenseman Nick Ebert, acquired via trade in December, led the Storm defense in scoring during the club’s OHL Championship run and trip to the Memorial Cup final (courtesy of Aaron Bell/OHL Images)

The Los Angeles Kings are in the midst of a deep playoff run, one that is eerily similar to their 2011-12 cup run. Outside of that though, there have been a ton of prospects competing with the Los Angeles Kings prospect tag by their name in all of the playoff competitions across the globe.

Photo: The Hardest Worker award went to Kings winger Tanner Pearson, who skated in his first 25 career regular season NHL games in 2013-14 (courtesy of Jeanine Leech/Icon SMI)

The Los Angeles Kings had several standout performances this year from the NCAA to the NHL. It was a pivotal transition year for many different players, and it appears that they were indeed ready to step up to the next level.