Sharks' Jones: 'I am looking forward to taking on a little more responsibility'

After sitting in the shadow of Jonathan Quick for two seasons, San Jose Sharks goaltender Martin Jones is ready to man the crease full-time.

Jones played just 34 games in a backup role during his first two seasons in the NHL, but after being traded to the Boston Bruins and then the Sharks in the offseason, the 25-year-old has signed a three-year deal and is ready to take the reins.

"Guys at this level are not as used to being in that backup role, so it is harder to kind of go the other way and not play as many games and kind of get that rhythm," Jones told NHL.com's Kevin Woodley. "So it is tough when you are not playing and you can sit on a bad game for a couple of weeks. It's definitely a different experience, so I am looking forward to taking on a little more responsibility. But nothing changes in my game."

Martin's resume may be limited, but it's what he's done in a short span that landed him his reported $9-million contract. In 34 games for the Los Angeles Kings, he went 16-11-2 with a .923 save percentage, a 1.99 goals-against average, and seven shutouts.

The young netminder will take over for veteran Antti Niemi, who the Sharks allowed to walk as a unrestricted free agent this summer after he spent five seasons as the team's No. 1.