With the New York Rangers out of playoff contention, Zac Jones has taken some time to reflect on the long year.
It may not have been the most successful season for the Rangers, but Jones feels he’s been able to make some personal strides despite some ups and downs from an individual standpoint.
Jones played 31 games during the 2023-24 season and 46 games through the 2024-25 campaign. He feels this increase in games contributed to some of his improvements.
“I think first of all my confidence with the puck,” Jones said of the improvements he’s made this season. “Last year getting a few more games helped and this year I kind of got a few more. I think just playing helps. You learn a lot more playing. I think for me defensively I’ve taken a big step.
“That’s kind of been a focus for myself the past couple of years is really trying to get better defensively and I really think I have. Good stick, being more aggressive on guys, being harder on guys, I think I’ve gotten better with that for sure.”
The 24-year-old defenseman played a big role on the second power-play unit for parts of the season and even spent a small period of time on the first power-play unit.
Jones felt like he could have done a better job in this special teams role.
“I would have liked a little more production from myself personally,” Jones said. “I pride myself on being a power-play guy, offensive defenseman. I definitely had a lot of looks this year and I didn’t capitalize.”
Over the past two years, Jones has experienced an abundance of difficult moments. He hasn’t played as much as he would have liked to while his role didn’t increase this season as originally expected.
When Jones finds himself thinking negatively, he tries to put things in perspective and think of all he’s accomplished and how far he’s come.
“I grew up in a black and white family where everything was either told good or bad,” said Jones. “That’s just the way I’ve been raised, so it's hard on myself, but I play in the NhL and that’s a special thing. If I’m too hard on myself, I just try to take a breather.”
