Zac Jones was probably ready to be an NHL regular last season, if given enough time to learn and grow. While he was with the Rangers all season, he only played sparingly, mostly as an injury replacement. It was clear he brought a much needed puck moving skill set to the Rangers blue line, but with the top-six set, he wasn’t given a true look. Now in 2024-2025, Jones is a regular and his presence in the lineup has given the Rangers a whole new look.
When Ryan Lindgren returned to the lineup, Peter Laviolette basically galaxy brained the defense pairs, breaking up what worked to shoehorn Lindgren back into the rotation. This resulted in Jones sitting for four of five games when Lindgren returned, which made it five of six including the game where Chad Ruhwedel played in Toronto. Naturally, aside from the Montreal game, the Rangers didn’t look good.
To say that Zac Jones was the sole reason why the Rangers didn’t look good in that stretch would be folly. We all know one player, especially a third pairing defenseman at the time, doesn’t dictate overall play. But this coincided with Laviolette breaking up the K’Andre Miller-Adam Fox pairing, and going back to ole reliable. Jones’ absence played a role, but we also saw how ineffective the Miller-Trouba pairing was, which also played a role.
Now with the proper pairs reunited, and with Zac Jones now playing with Braden Schneider instead of Victor Mancini, Jones’ true skill is starting to shine. Based on time on ice, the Jones-Schneider pairing is still the third pair, but they are putting up far better results than the Lindgren-Trouba pair.
Zac Jones was a wild card, but not anymore
Zac Jones entered this season as a bit of a wild card for the Rangers. We all knew he was a solid puck mover, but questions about his defensive zone play and his ability to play a full 82 game season provided some doubts. In the new NHL, the best defense is a good offense, and moving the puck up the ice quickly and efficiently does wonders for a player’s defensive numbers.
The Jones-Schneider pairing has a whopping 60.27% xG share, 61.54% HDCF share, and an 88.89% (!!!!) goal share for the Rangers since being reunited. Jones on his own is carrying an individual 56.24% xG share, 57.14% HDCF share, and an 85.71% goal share. Jones is good. The pairing with Schneider is solid as well. This is the Rangers second pair by results, and hopefully soon by ice time.
It’s clear Jones belongs in the NHL. He’s by far the Rangers best puck mover in the non-Fox division. Any worries about two-way, three-zone play have disappeared as well. He will have some blips here and there, and he’s not perfect so mistakes will happen. No matter which way you want to look at it, Zac Jones belongs in the NHL and in the Rangers top-four.
Sometimes, the best additions to a good team are the kids that are finally given a real look.
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