Zac Jones appeared to be on his way out of the New York Rangers organization just two weeks ago. Having spent most of the season as a healthy scratch, he was largely forgotten in the press box. However, when Urho Vaakanainen fell ill, Jones was unexpectedly called into action and delivered a pair of solid performances. Now, with Adam Fox and K’Andre Miller sidelined, he’ll be relied upon once again—an opportunity to showcase his skills and boost his trade value.
Back in December, Jones was granted permission to seek a trade, but his smaller stature made him a tough sell for other teams. To stay sharp, he completed a conditioning stint with the Hartford Wolf Pack in the AHL. For a young defenseman like Jones, limited ice time isn’t ideal for development, making this upcoming stretch even more crucial.
With the Rangers’ two most skilled puck-moving defensemen unavailable, Jones will have a chance to prove his offensive abilities. He’ll be tasked with shouldering some of the minutes Fox and Miller typically use to generate offense from the blue line. If he can effectively contribute in that role, he could become a more attractive asset as the trade deadline approaches.
While he won’t be inserted into the top power-play unit just yet, that could change if the team’s current five-forward approach falters. The second unit—featuring Reilly Smith, Will Cuylle, and Arthur Kaliyev—offers Jones an opportunity to work his way up if he can demonstrate quick and precise puck movement. Reducing turnovers and gaining confidence at even strength will be key, but if he steps up, the Rangers could use this as a chance to enhance his trade value.