The New York Rangers have sent Zac Jones to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League on a conditioning loan.
Typically, a player is sent to the AHL, plays in whatever games he's assigned, and then returns to the NHL at the end, which usually lasts around 14 days.
Jones has played in just two games since Dec. 23 as he was essentially cut out of the lineup after the Rangers acquired Urho Vaakanainen and Will Borgen.
The 24-year-old defenseman expressed his displeasure about being benched a few weeks ago.
“It (expletive) sucks, it (expletive) sucks,” Jones told Larry Brooks of the New York Post. “It’s frustrating when you think you’re doing some things well, and it’s just, you just keep getting taken out, taken out, taken out. I just feel like I’m rotting away a little bit…
“I’m not a 32-year-old guy collecting a paycheck. I’m a guy who wants to earn my paycheck. I need to play. I have things I need to improve in order to be a full-time player, and that’s what I want to be.”
Jones has recorded one goal, seven assists and eight points in 28 games while averaging 16:31 minutes per game.