It’s clear in their words and actions that the New York Rangers believe Zac Jones deserves an opportunity to join their top-six group of defenseman this upcoming season. So, when training camp begins in September, it’s up to Jones to run with the chance to replace Erik Gustafsson on the third pairing.
Gustafsson signed a two-year, $4 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings this offseason after one solid season with the Blueshirts. Instead of bringing in a veteran to replace Gustafsson, the Rangers stood pat, clearly believing that Jones, entering his age-24 season, was ready to finally assume a regular spot in the lineup.
Their only other move of significance on defense was bringing back Chad Ruhwedel on a League-minimum deal to provide depth as the 7th or 8th defenseman on the roster.
So, the Rangers actions spoke volumes about their plans to replace Gustafsson this season. Now, coach Peter Laviolette’s words backed up New York’s actions.
“Zac Jones got better every single time he played for us,” Laviolette told NHL.com. “He had to bring that out in himself every time we called his number, and it wasn’t on a consistent basis. When he got the opportunity, he was fantastic. Certainly, he’s going to get a long look in training camp.”
Jones played an NHL career-high 31 games last season. As Laviolette noted, that playing time was not on any consistent basis. He became a lineup regular in November when Adam Fox missed a month with a knee injury. Jones then played only six games December through February.
However, Jones stepped into a regular role in March, when he appeared in 12 games because of injuries to Jacob Trouba, Ryan Lindgren and Gustafsson. He logged more than 17 minutes of ice time five times and drew raves from Laviolette and his teammates.
“He’s worked his tail off every practice and every day,” Laviolette said in March. “He’s gotten an opportunity to jump back in here. He’s waited for this, he’s been patient, worked hard to get the opportunity and he’s jumped back in and has been playing excellent hockey again.”
Jones finished 2023-24 with nine points (two goals, seven assists) and a plus-one rating. Though many called for him to get a chance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, when Gutsafsson and Trouba struggled, Jones did not play a single one of New York’s 16 postseason games.
Zac Jones in line to replace Erik Gustafsson on Rangers defense corps
It appears now that, after four seasons with minimal NHL experience (69 games), Jones will get his opportunity this Fall. He could play alongside Trouba, the veteran captain, or Braden Schneider, the 22-year-old who seems ticketed for top-four duty sooner rather than later. Either way, that spot on the third pairing is his to lose.
At 5-foot-10 and 176 pounds, Jones does not bring size nor physicality to the defense corps. That would seem counter to their need on the back end, especially after the Rangers struggled to effectively handle the relentless physical play of the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final this past spring.
However, Jones is a slick puck mover, perhaps surpassed by only Fox among Rangers defensemen in this category. That could have benefitted the Rangers against the Panthers, when they failed time and again to exit their zone with crisp, clean passes from the defense corps.
Jones is in the mold of Gustafsson, as far as his skillset goes. Gustafsson is bigger (6-foot-1, 186 pounds) and more experienced (455 NHL games), but he and Jones are good skaters and puck movers, capable of putting up points from the back end. To that end, look for Jones to get a crack at quarterbacking the Rangers PP2 unit, just as Gustafsson did a year ago.
If for some reason things do not go well for Jones, which would be a surprise, the Rangers could always upgrade their defense corps ahead of the trade deadline, with Jones serving as a valuable 7th defensemen.
The flip side of that is the Rangers may have another important affordable piece in place for years to come if Jones plays to what the Laviolette and the Blueshirts expect.
And clearly, he’s going to get the opportunity to prove himself finally with the Rangers.
