Zac Jones has been on the outside looking in for the Rangers over the last eighteen months. New York has recently permitted the defenseman to seek a new team after losing his spot in the starting lineup to new arrival Urho Vaakanainen. Between Vaakanainen and Borgen, the Rangers defenseman has been crowded out, and the 2019 third-round draft pick is now looking for a new organization, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet in his recent 32 Thoughts Blog.
He also points out that Jones is on the smaller side for a defenseman, meaning that teams with shorter backends may not be as interested in the puck-moving defenseman. While there will be interest in the 24-year-old Richmond, Virginia native, his situation with the Rangers was untenable for both parties. New York needs the roster spots for its prospects, and Jones needs consistent ice time to get better, so we'll see where he ends up.
Jones is an RFA at the conclusion of the season, as his $812,500 cap hit will expire. A young team that can take a chance on him with an elevated role might extract a different tune than the Rangers have been getting. It's not a lack of talent with Jones; there are a few consistency issues, and a team with no pressure could put Jones in a position to play with the freedom to excel.
New York's return for Jones is unlikely to be significant, seeing as he's an extra defenseman on a team with severe defensive deficiencies. New York will need to find a trade partner to take Jones, and then there's a decision about what they do with the extra roster spot. Do they recall Connor Mackey, keep Chad Ruhwedel in the extra defenseman spot, or trade to find a new partner? There are looming changes coming for the Rangers backend.