Mike Sullivan Expected to Turn Around the Career of Young Defenseman

Zac Jones played just 115 NHL games over five part-time seasons, a career-high 46 in 2024-25 with the Rangers. He played an average of 17:15 of ice time as he endured an 18-game healthy scratch streak.

At 24 and an RFA, Jones is on the verge of returning, and Mike Sullivan's introduction might be just the reboot that he needs.

Jones stands at 5'10", 190 pounds, and is skilled at puck movement and skating. His offense was seen during his time in the AHL in Hartford, particularly on the power play.

While former coach Peter Laviolette seemed to prefer larger, more physical defensemen like Carson Soucy, Sullivan has had success in getting the best out of smaller, puck-moving blue-liners.

A good comparable is Matt Grzelcyk, who became an NHL regular in Pittsburgh under Sullivan. Grzelcyk wasn't truly an every-night NHLer until he was 24 and had a 40-point season playing more than 20 minutes a night.

That path of development could be the blueprint for Jones. With third-pair spots available for the Rangers and cap space in short supply, Jones is a high-reward, low-risk option.

He is one of the Rangers' defensemen who can shoot the puck with confidence and move it up ice quickly, something the Rangers may benefit from having more of.

Jones just needs a defined position and opportunity to flourish regularly. If he cannot get it under Sullivan, it will be his last chance in New York. But if he can, the Rangers can finally unleash the player they had in mind when they took him in the draft.