Zac Jones is a defenseman who's been arguably underutilized by the New York Rangers this season. He only suited up for 46 games with the Rangers and would see his star fall, as he spent the majority of the time benched this season.![Zac Jones]()
Zac Jones will be an RFA once July rolls around. With this year being the fifth season we've seen him don a Rangers jersey, but not full-time, you have to wonder what is in store for him next.
After his frustration being vented to Larry Brooks, it's difficult to see him not part ways with the organization in the future.
It (expletive) sucks, it (expletive) sucks. It's frustrating when you think you're doing some things well, and it's just, you just keep getting taken out, taken out, taken out. I just feel like I'm rotting away a little bit.»
Before the start of the 2024-2025 season, he'd only played a total of 69 games in the NHL. He'd only scored a total of 17 points and was working on adapting to the NHL game.
While he remained one of the team's top prospects, after playing two seasons in Hartford, scoring 66 points in 106 games, we'd have to temper our expectations of Jones. Who, while showing excellent skating and passing skills, wasn't able to gain Peter Laviolette's trust.
Jones was poised to take defenseman Erik Gustafsson's spot in the lineup, as a puck-moving defenseman and great skating ability. His high upside meant he could take that vacant spot alongside Braden Schneider.
However, it seemed along the way his ability to render Ryan Lindgren expendable didn't occur. He wouldn't use the abilities he had to make up for his smaller build, was unable to maintain consistency in his play.
When he was on the ice, his Corsi% was 52%, his on-ice goals% was 52.1%, and his expected goals% was 51.9%. His counting stats were underwhelming for an offensive defenseman, as he totaled 1G and 10A for 11P in a career-high 46 games while averaging a career-high 17:15 TOI/G.
Finishing the year with 16 giveaways and making bad decisions, including unnecessary pinches that resulted in odd-man rushes, he'd find himself scratched for 19 games. He'd later rebound in play after returning to the lineup on February 5th and would prove to be helpful in the team's 3-2 win over the Bruins.
Given that the Rangers have a slew of blueliners, including Will Borgen, Adam Fox, Carson Soucy, Braden Schneider, and Urho Vaakanainen, he may yet again be relegated to 7th d.
A position he wasn't happy with before. So it looks as if GM Chris Drury will have to consider moving him for assets, if they don't sign him for a bargain bin deal beforehand.
