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No deadline moves, Jones signs as NYR start a 4-game series in N.J.

By Steve Paulus

Mar 4, 2021; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) makes a save on a shot by New Jersey Devils center Janne Kuokkanen (59) during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2021; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) makes a save on a shot by New Jersey Devils center Janne Kuokkanen (59) during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) makes a save on a shot Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) makes a save on a shot Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /

The New York Rangers begin an unusual regular season four game series against the New Jersey Devils with the exact same roster as the team made no transactions at the trade deadline. It was the first time the Rangers have not made any kind of move as a buyer or seller around the deadline since 1985.

The Rangers have unloaded established for draft picks and prospects at the deadline for the last three years.  With the playoffs still an improbably possibility they didn’t weaken the team at all by trading players like Brendan Smith or Phil Di Giuseppe who could have been useful additions to a contender.

Jeff Gorton said that they did have some conversations about possible deals including a few about Tony DeAngelo, but there were no deals that they felt were worth making.  If DeAngelo had been willing to terminate his contract, Montreal apparently had some interest.

Apparently DeAngelo wanted to keep the dollars and wait until the summer to determine his future.

Zac Jones signs

The one move that was made was the signing of defenseman Zac Jones, fresh off his outstanding performance in the Frozen Four where he made the All-Tournament team for the championship UMass Minutemen.

Jones signed his Entry Level Contract (ELC) and reported to the team this morning.  He is expected to get some experience in the last 15 games of the season.  That means he will burn one year of his ELC in the last few games of this season.   He is a top prospect who has been very impressive in his two years at UMass and at the World Junior Championships.

If Jones gets into the lineup, the left shot blueliner could replace Libor Hajek on the third pair.  It will be interesting to watch Jones play.  He could easily find himself as a regular on the defense next season for the Rangers.

Another possibility is the Rangers want to see where he stands in the defense rankings on the team.  They are definitely going to be in the market to acquire a top center and they will have to give up a stud defenseman to do that.  If Jones impresses, it could mean the Rangers may be willing to trade Nils Lundkvist or even K’Andre Miller.  If that’s what it takes to get a top line center, they may be willing to do it as much as fans will hate the idea.

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