Roster Transaction: New York Rangers Veteran Defenseman Healthy Scratched Just Before Upcoming Game
The New York Rangers have made the decision to scratch Zac Jones out of the lineup tonight. Jones last played on December 23rd against the New Jersey Devils and was subsequently shut out.
The New York Rangers before the holiday break were shut out and down by the New Jersey Devils.
Zac Jones would draw in that night and would have a dismal stat line of 1 shot on goal, 19 shifts, and 19:04 TOI.
Jones, lack of production that night has been a common occurrence throughout the last 5 games he played this season.
And now, Peter Laviolette brings the accountability tonight, as he will be benched against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Zac Jones had a bright start to the year, on the bottom pairing with Braden Schneider. But would later have to compete for the spot, once the Rangers brought up Victor Mancini from the AHL.
Since then, it appears his production has been on the decline this year.
In 26 games for the Rangers, he's scored 8 points( 1 G, 7 A) with a +2.
With the depth of defenseman available for the Rangers to call-up from the AHL, and the latest addition of Urho Vaakanainen, should the Rangers consider trading Zac Jones?
This could solve an issue that the Rangers will have in advance as they will have to prioritize what RFAs to sign in the future.
If the Rangers can't use him, perhaps he should be moved to recoup assets and flip them later for another offensive forward.
Jones is in year two, of a two-year deal which pays him $812K AAV.
