The Buffalo Sabres are in the early parts of training camp, and the coaching staff is using that time to evaluate their roster and the players. A majority of the Sabres roster is unchanged from last season but there were a few new additions over the summer, and one of those players, Zac Jones, is making a positive first impression.
The Sabres signed Jones to a one-year contract in free agency after the New York Rangers did not extend a qualifying offer to make him a restricted free agent. The defenseman was a third round pick by the Rangers and has spent time between the Hartford Wolf Pack and the NHL the past few seasons.
This past season, Jones played in 46 games for the Rangers and had a career high in average ice time (17:15) along with assists (10) and points (11). However, he did have the second-worst Goals Above Expected among Rangers defenseman last season at -0.8 in 5-on-5 situations, and the fact that the Rangers didn't extend a qualifying offer is a little surprising.
After practice on Friday, head coach Lindy Ruff was asked about Jones and what the Sabres might have. The Sabres' head coach was quick to respond and described Jones as a 'sneaky good player' and 'someone who might surprise you'.
He described Jones as a player 'who skates well' and also moves the puck well with what he has seen so far in practice.
Can Zac Jones surpass Jacob Bryson for the seventh defenseman spot with the Buffalo Sabres?
The strength of the Buffalo Sabres roster is looking to be the blue line and they have a complete group from top to bottom. There is a lot of competition for those final roster spots and the thought entering training camp was that Jacob Bryson would be the player in that role.
However, with the comments by Ruff, this could be more of a competition than initially thought, with Jones pushing Bryson for that spot. This is a battle that is going to play out in preseason games but it may be closer than initially thought entering training camp based on Ruff's comments.