The Rangers have re-signed RFA defender Zac Jones to a two-year, $812,500 contract. at PuckPedia. Jones was coming off the ELC playing 16 NHL games this season, scoring a goal and an assist in the third pair. He mainly played with Braden Schneider, but was often restricted to the Rangers fourth line. He put up 30 points in each of his two semiseasons with the Hartford Wolf Pack.
the #NYR Re-signing suspended RFA Zach Jones to a $812.5k, two-year deal
year 1800 thousand
Year 2 825kAt expiration, it will be an RFA with a qualifying offer of $866K.
2P in 16 NHL GPs
Reply by Sean Honwick @tweet https://t.co/Bh9PxDkWtW
– PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) June 16, 2023
Re-signing Jones is a good step in the right direction in adding much-needed puck action to the Rangers blue line, should Jones ever make the team. It is rumored that one of the major feuds between Chris Drury and Gerard Gallant was over Jones. Drury clearly loves the kid and his game, as mentioned in the stretch, while Gallant didn’t want Jones to learn on the job to cover some of his defensive issues.
the #NYR RFA signed Zac Jones to a $2 x $812k AAV contract.
Jones, at 22, had one of the best LHD’s in the world #AHL this chapter.
He excels at breaking pucks from the D zone, thanks to his vision and passing ability.
You can see him taking on a role in Rangers BB2 unit. pic.twitter.com/rwSqh5G7qe
– Jacob Stoller (JLStoller) June 16, 2023
Jones was one of the best puck movers in the AHL, and his defensive game seems to have improved, as noted by his 99th percentage in xGA From Jacob Stoller. Jones will likely have the inside track to 3LD now with Peter Laviolette at the helm, but he will face good competition from Matthew Robertson.