SEEMS TO ME HE'S HEARD THAT SONG BEFORE

 

ZAC JONES has heard it all before … how good he 

plays when he gets the opportunity … that by now 

the New York Rangers defenseman from Richmond 

has reason not to believe his lying ears … So why 

isn’t he playing more … than 31 games a year ago 

when the 5-11, 185 pounder clearly was better 

than ERIK GUSTAFSSON, the veteran 

journeyman who was brought in to take Jones’ 

place on the left side of the third defensive unit? … 

Listen to coach PETER LAVIOLETTE: “Zac Jones 

got better every single time he played for us," he 

told NHL.com. "... He was fantastic." Sure 

sounded like Laviolette might be second-guessing 

himself, keeping Jones a healthy scratch 

throughout the playoffs … when New York, 

winner of the President’s Trophy, which goes to 

the team with the best regular-season record, lost 

in the conference finals to eventual Stanley Cup 

champion Florida Panthers … Anyway, here we go 

again. Jones goes to training camp expected to 

make the top six on defense. At least, at this point, 

the Rangers haven’t brought in any one new (for a 

change) … Other than former defenseman of the 

year (2022) ADAM FOX, Jones skates better and 

moves the puck better than anyone on the D-line. 

In fact, he is a left-hand version of the right-hand-

shooting Fox. All Jones requires is a fair chance … 

This will be his fifth pro season ... since 

signing late in 2020-21 and playing the last 10 

games after JACOB  TROUBA was injured in a 

fight with  the Islanders’ MATT MARTIN … 

Now the Rangers' captain, Trouba fell out of favor 

last season … and GM CHRIS DRURY tried but 

failed to trade him as planned. Laviolette is talking 

about making several adjustments to his lineup. 

How ironic would it be if Jones plays with Trouba 

for the first time? They certainly complement each 

other. Trouba is the tough guy … who has all kinds 

of  trouble moving the puck out of the defensive 

end. He’s a turnover waiting to happen

… Jones, on the other hand, wastes little time 

finding a teammate to initiate a breakout that 

oftentimes results in an odd-man rush. He leaves 

the rough stuff to someone/anyone else. Still, in his 

only fight as a pro, he was the obvious winner after 

being challenged while playing for AHL Hartford.

……. To date, Clemson has spent more than a million 

dollars on its law suit to leave the ACC … A fool and 

its money ...

……. TAYLOR HEINICKE traded to Chargers by 

Atlanta for low-round draft pick … Falcons had

 KIRK COUSINS and top draftee MICHEL PENIX 

JR … and could regret moving the former Old 

Dominion QB, who has thrown for 6,600 yards and 

38 touchdowns playing for bad teams in 

Washington and Atlanta … Cousins, also a former 

Redskin, is another injury away from calling it a 

career … Speaking of which … once again your New 

York Jets are way, way over-valued. AARON 

RODGERS lasted four plays in his first season with 

Gang Green. Maybe, just maybe the once-great QB 

will make it to Game 4 this year … but don’t count 

on it.

…… Finally, some predictions: I had a teacher in 

grade school, ROUSE B. WILCOX, who kept 

reminding us, “The majority is always wrong.” So, 

following the Wilcoxian Theory of things … Georgia 

will not win the national championship; it won’t 

even make the final … The Washington Football 

Team won’t win eight games. With that defensive 

line, seven seems a stretch. 

Until next time ...