Rangers defense pairs begin to take shape as Zac Jones eyes regular role
With the New York Rangers training camp officially under way, we are already starting to catch a glimpse of what coach Peter Laviolette is thinking with his defense pairings. None of it is a surprise.
The only open spot in the top six is on the third pair, after Erik Gustafsson signed a two-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings as a free agent. Since the Rangers didn’t add a veteran left-hand shot to compete for that third-pair position, it’s widely assumed that it’s Zac Jones’ job to lose.
And the first day back on ice Thursday, there was Jones on the third pair.
“I do think that he played pretty well for us all year,” Peter Laviolette said Thursday. “He even had a bigger role and stepped into those situations at the end of the year. He really looked good as a player for us. That gives him some confidence coming back into this year.”
Jones spent most of last season serving as the New York’s seventh defenseman, and has been itching to get his chance as a regular for the past three seasons. He played well when called upon in 2023-24, filling in early in the season when Adam Fox was injured, and again in March when Jacob Trouba, Ryan Lindgren and Gustafsson all were knocked out of the lineup.
In an NHL career-high 31 regular season games, the 23-year-old scored two goals and added seven assists, and played at a noticeably higher level than in previous stints with New York.
“He’s been around for a while now, last couple years, and when he’s had his chance to play I thought he’s played really well,” Rangers captain Jacob Trouba said. “Excited to see what opportunity he runs with this year.”
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Zac Jones ahead of game in ‘battle for positions’ on Rangers defense
Laviolette was quick to point out that nothing is guaranteed for Jones. He might be the favorite to round out the top six, but the 2019 third-round pick still needs to earn it.
Veteran defenseman Chad Ruhwedel is back with the Rangers, likely the leader to be on the opening-night roster as the extra defenseman. He’s a right-hand shot, so if Jones, a lefty, is going to be pushed for that third-pair spot, then the main competitors might be left-shots Matthew Robertson, Ben Harpur, and Connor Mackey.
For what it’s worth, Robertson and Ruhwedel skated on a fourth defense pair during drills with the NHL regulars Thursday. Harpur, Mackey and Brandon Scanlin each practiced with the minor leaguers and prospects. Harpur, it should be noted, is coming off injury and played just seven games with Hartford of the American Hockey League last season. This after playing 42 games with the Rangers in 2022-23.
“It’s also a battle for positions,” Laviolette explained. “There’s other defensemen here as well. But certainly with the way [Jones] played last year, he played the game with confidence. That gave us confidence as coaches, and you’d like to see that come right into training camp. As he gets time in exhibition games, he can continue to take those steps.”
Though Laviolette didn’t commit to anything, Jones is getting the first look as the sixth defensemen. However, pairs were shuffled throughout practice and he skated with both Trouba and Braden Schneider.
Trouba began the day with Jones, and Schneider was with K’Andre Miller. Trouba and Schneider then switched partners as practice carried on.
“It’ll move. We’re going to take a look at everything. I think there’s been good pairings along the way. There could be younger players that are pushing or players that we’ve acquired that are pushing from different directions. Training camp is about opportunity. That’s today, and things will change tomorrow with regard to the lineup.”
The top pair of Fox and Ryan Lindgren remained intact, as it has since Fox’s rookie season in 2019-20.
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