Prospect Info: Zachary Jones, LD, 3rd round, 68th overall, 2019

[egelband]

You can't make any high profile mistakes if you are avoiding any high profile trades at all cost.

Yep. Totally. Unless... the trade is a complete no-brainers like Duchene. But yeah, do nothing and everyone says you’re a patient calculating chess-playing genius.

I prefer a GM willing to take a (calculated, of course) risk and bet on his team.

 

[Matz03]

If Ryan Graves is near the top of your resumé I’m not sure it’s too convincing. The Duchene trade was great. And Rantanen was a good pick. And personally I think a GMs credo needs to be avoiding mistakes more than anything else. And he does that. But I also think the guy gets overrated. Born on third base, so to speak.

I didn’t think I had to mention how good the Duchane trade was for them. Getting Grubauer and a signed Kadri in other deals, Girard and a high end prospect. These are key core players signed on reasonable deals and/ or long term team control.

 

[cwede]

tough breaks for UMass.


If UMass were to sweep the weekend and win the title,
might Jones change his mind about returning, and turn pro?

 

[GAGLine]

If UMass were to sweep the weekend and win the title,
might Jones change his mind about returning, and turn pro?

Has he previously said that he would return? Regardless, I think it might better overall if he stays another year.

 

[chosen]

Has he previously said that he would return? Regardless, I think it might better overall if he stays another year.

Why?

 

[cwede]

Has he previously said that he would return? Regardless, I think it might better overall if he stays another year.

yeah, a while back, probably prior to Hockey East tourney, he said he'd come back for Junior year
and i believe he was sincere
but if they win the trophy, i suspect he may reconsider (my hunch based on zero inside information ...

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Why?

Because Jones still has areas of his game to work on, even in college.

 

[GAGLine]

Why?

Because I think he can still benefit from another year in college, and because we don't have a dire need for him at the NHL level. Yes, he could play in the AHL, and I'm not against that. I just think that him staying in college another year buys us some more time to evaluate other prospects first.

It's not something I feel overly strong about, just trying to see the possible benefits of him staying for his junior year.

 

[chosen]

Because I think he can still benefit from another year in college, and because we don't have a dire need for him at the NHL level. Yes, he could play in the AHL, and I'm not against that. I just think that him staying in college another year buys us some more time to evaluate other prospects first.

It's not something I feel overly strong about, just trying to see the possible benefits of him staying for his junior year.

The only time I watched him was in the international tourney and he was wayyy better than I had previously heard. Thought he was more impressive than K'Andre.

Has he continued to improve or has he stagnated, or not enough to judge on?

 

[GAGLine]

The only time I watched him was in the international tourney and he was wayyy better than I had previously heard. Thought he was more impressive than K'Andre.

Has he continued to improve or has he stagnated, or not enough to judge on?

I've only watched him a couple times this year, but from everything I've heard, he has improved significantly. I'm kind of looking at him in terms of how Fox's college career went, and thinking that there might be another offensive level for Jones.

 

[chosen]

I've only watched him a couple times this year, but from everything I've heard, he has improved significantly. I'm kind of looking at him in terms of how Fox's college career went, and thinking that there might be another offensive level for Jones.

What stood out to me was his quick and decisive thinking, which is the definition of Fox.

 

[wolfgaze]

Has he previously said that he would return?

Prospect Info: - Rangers Prospect Thread (Player Stats/Info in Post #1; Updated 4.5.21)

Apologies if previously discussed, but just today I listened to this past Wednesday's episode of the Up In The Blue Seats (Ron Duguay / Mollie Walker) podcast where they interviewed Zac Jones... Ron asked him where he is regarding his anticipation of playing in the NHL and for the NY Rangres 'next year', and Zac responded by saying:

"Honestly, I want to come back next year (NCAA, junior year). I don't think I'm ready to play pro hockey yet, I don't think my body is mature enough, I don't think I'm big enough for it yet...And I think that extra year of college next year and this year, and a big summer this year will help me, hopefully being able to sign after my junior year... But if that doesn't happen, and I'm here for four years, so be it... I want to play pro hockey when I'm ready to play, and I want to dominate at this level (NCAA) and then move on to the next."

Ron asked him to describe himself as a player:

"I'm an offensive defenseman... I mean, I'm great at the blueline, I think I have really good vision... I'm working on my defensive game a lot. That was the biggest knock on me coming into my draft year, that I wasn't very good defensively - and I think I've proved a lot of people wrong in that factor where I'm turning into more of a two-way defenseman now and I can play penalty kill and be out there against guys top lines... I think that's something that I've tried to get better at and I think it's shown for sure."

Ron asked him if he can play both sides of the ice on defense:

"All the way until probably my sophomore year of high school I was playing on the right side. My team in Richmond only had 5 defensemen so we had to run 5 D, so I'd always be playing Left, Right, either side - so I just got used to playing both"

Also in that recent interview someone shared with his coach, that guy also made reference to Jones' 'physical immaturity'... Sounds like the player and those around him all know that he needs to work on bulking up and improving his strength...

 

[The Crypto Guy]

tough breaks for UMass.


If UMass were to sweep the weekend and win the title,
might Jones change his mind about returning, and turn pro?

Ugh, we'll that blows. Would have been a really good game, now it can easily be a one sided game.

 

[Draft Guru]

Hmm, kind of reminds me of another kid that once was drafted in the 3rd round, 66th overall by the Calgary Flames a few years back. Adam Fox. Like Fox, let him marinate in the NCAA for 3 years and I bet we have a legitimate NHL prospect in 2022.

Not a bad call at the time of the draft. Jones is definitely on the same developmental path as Fox. 100% he goes back for at least his junior year. He's been very good so far, but I definitely think there's another level he can get to next year. Exciting to watch his growth.

 

[Edge]

I hear a lot of comparisons to Fox, and I can see it, but Jones reminds me a bit more of Keith Yandle in his style and approach.

Fox, even at the same age, was a bit more involved all over the ice, and had much more of a straight line efficiency to him.

Jones tends to have more of a paint brush style where he seeks the open ice and creates a play. As a former center, that makes a lot sense --- he's essentially bringing a centers game to the blue line.

Jones is also an example of the Rangers trying to find talent that matches the style of guys higher in the draft, but at a more value-based slot.

For example, at the 2019 draft the Rangers were not in a position to grab Cam York. But there was quite a bit of crossover there with Jones, albeit with Jones being potentially on the same track but "a few stations" behind.

In 2018, the same approach was taken with Lundkvist vs. Boqvist.

In 2020, they took a chance on someone like Tarnstrom with the hopes he might someday find a similar role as some of the middle six guys grabbed in the mid-first.

So that's something they've tried to zero-in on in recent years.

Jones is a damn good prospect who is incredibly smart. Not unlike Miller, he's still new to the position and learning. But there's a lot to work with there.

 

[Edge]

Prospect Info: - Rangers Prospect Thread (Player Stats/Info in Post #1; Updated 4.5.21)



Also in that recent interview someone shared with his coach, that guy also made reference to Jones' 'physical immaturity'... Sounds like the player and those around him all know that he needs to work on bulking up and improving his strength...

He has to get stronger, maybe even a hair more efficient with his skating as a defenseman (as he learns the positioning and reads), and ideally keep getting some experience.

Remember, this is a kid who played center until a few years ago. He's learning like Miller did, but without the physical tools Miller had to work with.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

He has to get stronger, maybe even a hair more efficient with his skating as a defenseman (as he learns the positioning and reads), and ideally keep getting some experience.

Remember, this is a kid who played center until a few years ago. He's learning like Miller did, but without the physical tools Miller had to work with.

His story is quite interesting. I'm happy he's staying in college for another year. No pressure on his development staying with UMass.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

If anyone is interested, Zach Jones and UMASS are on ESPN 2 tonight at 9 in their Frozen Four game. I'm probably getting back from work late but i'm going to record it and watch when I get home.

 

[nyr2k2]

 

[bl02]

Zac Jones making some amazing moves in the ozone with less than a minute left in regulation. Amazing hands.

 

[GAGLine]

Zac Jones making some amazing moves in the ozone with less than a minute left in regulation. Amazing hands.

Yeah, it's too bad someone couldn't bang that in. Guess I might not be going to bed for a while.

 

[Fitzy]

As I have enjoyed watching college hockey get better and better from afar for years, sadly the tv production value and commentary has stagnated.

Wish there was the kind of market for it that NCAA basketball and football had. It’s great at SLU Union, BC, BU and Clarkson where it’s the biggest gig in town, but it’s an afterthought in the country at large

 

[GAGLine]

What a hit by Jones.

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

I hear a lot of comparisons to Fox, and I can see it, but Jones reminds me a bit more of Keith Yandle in his style and approach.

Fox, even at the same age, was a bit more involved all over the ice, and had much more of a straight line efficiency to him.

Jones tends to have more of a paint brush style where he seeks the open ice and creates a play. As a former center, that makes a lot sense --- he's essentially bringing a centers game to the blue line.

Jones is also an example of the Rangers trying to find talent that matches the style of guys higher in the draft, but at a more value-based slot.

For example, at the 2019 draft the Rangers were not in a position to grab Cam York. But there was quite a bit of crossover there with Jones, albeit with Jones being potentially on the same track but "a few stations" behind.

In 2018, the same approach was taken with Lundkvist vs. Boqvist.

In 2020, they took a chance on someone like Tarnstrom with the hopes he might someday find a similar role as some of the middle six guys grabbed in the mid-first.

So that's something they've tried to zero-in on in recent years.

Jones is a damn good prospect who is incredibly smart. Not unlike Miller, he's still new to the position and learning. But there's a lot to work with there.

Will he be too small for NHL? How are we supposed to find roster spots for all these D prospects?

 

[MysticLeviathan]

jones with a great chance in the crease