Zach Jones Becomes Unlimited Free Agent

Zach Jones is one of four players whose qualifying offers weren’t extended by the Rangers on Monday, making the 24-year-old defenseman a free agent for the first time in his career.

The Rangers have consistently viewed Jones as their seventh defenseman. I think this has left him feeling a bit “rotten,” especially after being in and out of the lineup over the last five seasons.

This decision not only gives Jones a chance to gauge his worth across the NHL but also affords the Rangers some valuable cap space. They can now consider potential offer sheets while also safeguarding themselves.

Last season, Jones was a healthy scratch 36 times, which is, well, disheartening. He was even allowed to speak with other teams at that time.

Things didn’t quite pan out, obviously. There were concerns about arbitration rights, as the Rangers were wary that his cap hit could surpass an agreeable amount.

The Rangers had offered something to Jones earlier this summer, though the specifics are still a bit unclear.

In 115 games with the Rangers, he recorded four goals and 24 assists, which isn’t, you know, too shabby, I guess. Alongside Jones, the team also chose not to extend qualifying offers to Arthur Karieff, Jake Leschyn, and Lucas Edmonds.

When it comes to Karieff, he joined the Rangers in January but played just three games before facing a season-ending upper body injury.

Reports indicate that the Rangers don’t see Jones as fitting into their future lineup comfortably. Meanwhile, restricted free agents K’Andre Miller, Will Cuylle, Dylan Garand, Brendan Brisson, and Talyn Boyko received limited qualifying offers.

Qualifying offers can grant a team the right of first refusal. If a player signs elsewhere, the original team could get draft pick compensation. Players have options, too—they can accept these offers or continue contract negotiations, or even sign with another team outright.