What Happened
The Utah Mammoth announced they have recalled defenseman Zac Jones from AHL Tucson, per Pro Hockey Rumors. The move came after Utah sent Gregor Biber back to Tucson without him appearing in a game, suggesting the club wanted a different reserve option on the blue line. Jones, 26, is in his first season with the organization on a two-year, two-way contract he signed after Buffalo chose not to tender him in June. He cleared waivers in training camp and has been with the Roadrunners since, posting 11 points in 13 games.
Key Details
- Jones signed a two-year, two-way deal with Utah after Buffalo did not tender him in June.
- He cleared waivers during training camp and has spent the season with AHL Tucson.
- The 26-year-old has 11 points in 13 games for the Roadrunners.
- Jones has 115 NHL games of experience, all with the Rangers, who drafted him in the third round in 2019.
- He has four goals and 24 assists in those games, averaging just under 16 minutes per night.
- Nate Schmidt is listed as day-to-day for Utah.
What It Means
Utah adds an experienced option to its blue line without committing a lineup spot. Jones has nearly five seasons of NHL time with the Rangers, and his strong start in Tucson suggests some offensive upside. With Schmidt day-to-day, the Mammoth can either keep Artem Duda in the lineup and use Jones as a seventh defenseman, or give Jones third-pairing minutes if they want more production from the back end, according to Pro Hockey Rumors.
What's Next
Whether Jones draws into the lineup is undecided, according to Pro Hockey Rumors. His role will likely depend on Schmidt's day-to-day status and whether Utah prefers Duda's defense or Jones's offense on the third pairing.