Rangers defenseman Zac Jones becomes unrestricted free agent after club doesn't make qualifying offer
Rangers defenseman Zac Jones sets before a face-off against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first period of an NHL game at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 28. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Rangers defenseman Zac Jones, a restricted free agent who expressed his unhappiness during the season at his lack of playing time, was not extended a qualifying offer by the club before Monday's deadline, making him an unrestricted free agent one day before the free-agent signing period begins Tuesday.
Jones was one of three restricted free agents who did not receive qualifying offers from the Rangers, according to an NHL source. The others were forwards Arthur Kaliyev and Lucas Edmonds. The team also did not make a qualifying offer to forward Jake Leschyshyn, a Group 6 unrestricted free agent.
The Rangers did make qualifying offers to their other five RFAs: Defenseman K’Andre Miller, forwards Will Cuylle and Brendan Brisson and goaltenders Dylan Garand and Talyn Boyko.
Jones, 24, was a third-round pick in the 2019 draft and signed with the Rangers in 2021 after leading UMass to the NCAA championship. The offensive defenseman specialized in running the point on the power play, but with Adam Fox ahead of him in that role, he never really got a chance to break into the lineup as a regular.
He spent the last two seasons as the seventh defenseman, which meant being a healthy scratch most games. He played 31 games in 2023-24 and 46 in 2024-25. And on New Year’s Day, Jones let his frustration out to reporters.
“It sucks,’’ Jones said of his lack of playing time. “There's nothing else I can say about it.’’
At breakup day, Jones didn’t apologize for his outburst, but admitted that he wished he hadn’t said it to reporters.
“I said what I said this year and I don't take it back. I stand by what I said,’’ Jones said. “I kind of just blew up. I shouldn't have said what I said to you guys. That's on me. I should have kept it private and kept it in the locker room. But sometimes things happen. Emotion gets the best of you.’’
Jones, who had one goal and 10 assists this season, totaled four goals and 24 assists in 115 games for the Rangers across parts of five seasons.
Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
More Rangers
