How The Offseason Stacks Up for Ducks RFA Max Jones
The Anaheim Ducks head into the 2024 offseason with seven RFAs in need of new contracts. Pat Verbeek has an interesting history with RFAs in his tenure as Ducks GM. How will Max Jones fare this summer?
Max Jones (26) is now six years into his NHL career. He's been a victim of the injury bug for most of his professional career and the 2023-24 season wasn't an exception. He was forced out of the lineup for 30 games, spread out over various stretches over the second half of the season.
Jones' three-year contract that carried an AAV of $1.295 million expired after the 2023-24 season and he's now a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. If the Ducks intend to keep his signing rights, they must extend a $1.5 million qualifying offer before July 1. If they elect not to, he will become an unrestricted free agent who can sign with any team that offers him a contract.
Heading into the summer of 2024, the Ducks have seven RFAs whose futures need to be decided upon before July 1.
Max Jones wasn't a tremendously productive junior player in the OHL for the London Knights (112 points in 127 games), but his 62 points in 258 NHL games is a disappointing number for the 24th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft.
Jones has all the tools of an impactful depth power forward in the NHL. His motor and ability to disrupt on the forecheck are valuable. Jones is one of the more powerful skaters in the league, displaying decent puck skills and can drive pucks to the net.
Jones is a player who's work ethic will never come into question. His feet are always moving and he is constantly pressuring pucks and forcing turnovers.
Jones has lacked critical decision-making when attempting to create a truly dangerous opportunity. At times he shows tunnel vision. Other times, he will try and do too much with the puck or he will hold onto it too long, allowing a passing or shooting lane to close.
Major injuries at a young age (including missing 80 games with an upper-body injury in 2021-22) and a global pandemic likely put a dent in Jones' development. Whenever it seems like he's beginning to sand down a weakness in his game, he seemingly sustains another injury.
Jones can assume a valuable role as a bottom-six forechecking winger who can be effective on the counterattack and play responsibly on the defensive side of the puck. He is perfectly suited for playoff hockey and would thrive in a situation where he's able to provide energy to the bottom of a contending lineup.
For the ability to retain his rights, Ducks GM Pat Verbeek would have to offer Jones a qualifying offer of $1.5 million. Verbeek hasn't been shy about forgoing a player's rights if he deems their QO too expensive. Though he seems to be well-regarded in the Ducks' locker room, there's a real possibility Jones does not see a qualifying offer from the Ducks.