Is Martin Jones available? Hockey ops responds

You may recall that Los Angeles Kings back-up goaltender Martin Jones is projected to be the team’s first contract to fall before the Kings dive fully in to negotiations with restricted free agent Tyler Toffoli and unrestricted free agent Andrej Sekera, who will command higher salaries.

This morning, a wrinkle was thrown into the process by this Darren Dreger report:

LA's Martin Jones remains a prime trade target on the goalie market. Moving him east sounds like preferred option for Kings brass. #TSN

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 24, 2015

Some contract uncertainty is fuelling LA's interest in considering Jones trade. In addition, he feels ready to be a number one. #TSN

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 24, 2015

I caught up with Kings hockey operations while checking into the MGM Grand an hour ago, and was told that there is “lots of speculation out there,” and that there’s “nothing concrete at this time.”

Still, given that we’ve expected the Kings to have hammered out a contract extension with Jones by now, that there hasn’t been an agreement by June 24 does lead to speculation that perhaps a Plan B may be forming. Keep in mind there are other goaltenders – Eddie Lack, Cam Talbot, and either Robin Lehner or Craig Anderson – who are trade targets at this time, which doesn’t have a seller’s affect on the market. Of course, those goaltenders don’t have Jones’ seven shutouts in 34 career games.

Los Angeles has roughly $64.15 million allotted to 17 players for the 2015-16 season, a figure that includes both Mike Richards’ and Slava Voynov’s contracts (The Kings would have roughly $59.98M spent on 16 players if Voynov’s contract is not included).