One thing I think Jones could work on... I feel there's times where he tries to impose himself physically where it's really not necessary. And you have to think a lot of that is coaching. He's been scratched many times during his NHL stints. Kinda makes you think that's probably something that they've talked to him about over the years. They want him to be more of a prototypical physical defender, but thats not his game. So he makes these little plays sometimes defensively just to kinda show he can handle the physicality. Like its almost more of a show for the coaches. I don't know, has anyone else got that feeling as well? I'm not sure if I'm doing a justice describing it
Like just as an example... you watch Adam Fox, he's about the same size as Jones. He's obviously one of the best defenseman in the league, so tall order. But you watch him, he doesn't needlessly try to be physical. He knows his limitations. Along the boards if it's not a board scrum he kinda just contains the puck carrier. He doesn't feel the need to get up on the guy for no reason. He's just keeping good stick positioning, trying to take away a passing lane or a particular angle. He only really uses physicality when necessary. In the case of Jones I feel there's times where he'll look to wrap a guy up or engage physically where it's not really the effective play. And don't get me wrong there's times where he uses it properly, but it's something I'd like to see him fine tune.
Because at this point I think that's what will determine whether Jones is a guy you could feel comfortable playing in the top 4 versus just being an offensive D that you need to shield on the bottom pairing. He's loaded with skill. Fox is the only defender on this team that can make the sort of passes and offensive plays that Jones can make.
I know Makar is probably the best defenseman on the planet, but he's not a big guy. When they went to the cup they had him on the top pair and smaller Samuel Girard on the 2nd pair. I know he got hurt on that playoff run that year, but he's been a staple over there for years. Enough so that they were comfortable enough to trade Byram, their former 4th overall pick. So if it comes down to it, I don't think it would be any sort of death sentence to have two sub 6 foot defenders in the top 4. But thats if Jones can manage to be competent defensively.
Like just as an example... you watch Adam Fox, he's about the same size as Jones. He's obviously one of the best defenseman in the league, so tall order. But you watch him, he doesn't needlessly try to be physical. He knows his limitations. Along the boards if it's not a board scrum he kinda just contains the puck carrier. He doesn't feel the need to get up on the guy for no reason. He's just keeping good stick positioning, trying to take away a passing lane or a particular angle. He only really uses physicality when necessary. In the case of Jones I feel there's times where he'll look to wrap a guy up or engage physically where it's not really the effective play. And don't get me wrong there's times where he uses it properly, but it's something I'd like to see him fine tune.
Because at this point I think that's what will determine whether Jones is a guy you could feel comfortable playing in the top 4 versus just being an offensive D that you need to shield on the bottom pairing. He's loaded with skill. Fox is the only defender on this team that can make the sort of passes and offensive plays that Jones can make.
I know Makar is probably the best defenseman on the planet, but he's not a big guy. When they went to the cup they had him on the top pair and smaller Samuel Girard on the 2nd pair. I know he got hurt on that playoff run that year, but he's been a staple over there for years. Enough so that they were comfortable enough to trade Byram, their former 4th overall pick. So if it comes down to it, I don't think it would be any sort of death sentence to have two sub 6 foot defenders in the top 4. But thats if Jones can manage to be competent defensively.
