Rangers’ exciting young defenseman could step into a starting role in 2024

Zac Jones spent much of the 2023 season as a healthy scratch in the Rangers’ lineup. But he did manage to appear in 31 games for the Blueshirts, totaling nine points behind two goals and seven assists with a +1 rating.

Jones primarily served as Trouba’s backup during the regular season and received his playing time when the captain defenseman missed time with an injury. As Trouba struggled while playing through that injury during the playoffs, the fans’ cries to see Jones return to the ice grew to a deafening decibel. While Rangers faithful did not get to see Jones get any playoff action, they could get their wish during the upcoming regular season.

Zac Jones should start for the Rangers in 2024

Following the loss of Erik Gustafsson in free agency, the Blueshirts have another hole to fill their defensive corps. Jones could slide into the Rangers’ third defensive pairing to play alongside Braden Schneider to start the season. Then, when Trouba is eventually and inevitably traded or moved on from by the next offseason, Jones could move up to the second defensive pairing if he is playing well.

Jones could serve as both the short-term replacement for Gustafsson and the long-term replacement for Trouba. He is a young, 23-year-old defenseman who might be undersized at 5-foot-11, 185 pounds, but he brings a valuable two-way capability to the ice. He skates with speed and passes with precision, and with a little more development, Jones could become a staple in the Rangers’ defense corps for years to come. 

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