Former Rangers defenseman wins prestigious AHL award after leaving New York

Jones was called up by Buffalo multiple times as a depth defenseman, though he never appeared in an NHL game with the Sabres in 2025-26. Instead, he helped Rochester clinch a postseason berth as the lowest seed in the North Division.

Rangers seek puck-moving defenseman in 2026 offseason

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

At exit day interviews Friday, coach Mike Sullivan highlighted puck-moving defensemen as an area of need for New York this offseason. Not long ago, Jones figured to be an intriguing option that fit the bill.

Jones began the 2024-25 campaign as a lineup regular on the third-pair, replacing veteran blue-liner Erik Gustafsson as the Rangers looked to build on a Presidents’ Trophy-winning campaign in 2023-24. But the undersized defenseman fell out of favor with Laviolette and spent nearly half the season as a healthy scratch.

Given Sullivan’s emphasis on defensive responsibility, it’s unlikely the offensive-minded Jones would have gotten much runway with New York in 2025-26. Sullivan’s limited usage of Scott Morrow — another young, offensively talented defenseman with subpar defensive habits — even when Adam Fox missed 27 games due to a pair of injuries, suggests a similar fate for Jones, had the Rangers extended him.

Still, it’s no surprise that Sullivan highlighted the need for another puck-moving defenseman. Outside of Fox, who played to a nearly point-per-game pace in 2025-26 with 53 points (nine goals, 44 assists) in 55 games, New York lacked playmaking on the backend.

Free-agent addition Vladislav Gavrikov exploded for a career-high 14 goals — eight more than his previous best — as Fox’s partner on the top pair, but his calling card remains elite defensive play, not offense.

The Rangers need a defenseman adept at breaking the puck out of their own zone — ideally one who can fill a second-pair role next to a stay-at-home option like Will Borgen. The uncertain future of Braden Schneider only amplifies the need for an addition to New York’s top four.

Jones’ success this season, albeit in the minor leagues, is a painful reminder of the talent New York failed to develop in its own system, leaving them seeking to fill a similar role this offseason.

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