During the 2025 NHL offseason, the Buffalo Sabers signed defenseman Zach Jones to a one-year, two-way contract. This followed his 46-game stint with the New York Rangers in the 2024-25 season, where he tallied one goal and 11 points.
Although signing Jones was a relatively minor move for the Sabers this summer, the left-handed defenseman has made a significant impact in the American Hockey League (AHL) playing for the Rochester Americans.
In 25 games this season with Rochester, Jones has scored two goals and leads the AHL with 27 assists. The Glen Allen, Virginia native is having a standout season, leading the Amerks with 29 points.
Jones has yet to appear in a regular-season game for Buffalo this year, but his contributions to Rochester are valuable. At 25 years old, he’s been instrumental in driving the AHL team’s offense, which benefits the Sabers’ prospects as well.
If Jones continues to excel offensively from the blue line in Rochester, he could earn an opportunity to join Buffalo’s NHL roster before the season concludes—especially if injuries strike the Sabers’ lineup.
Over his five NHL seasons, Jones has compiled four goals, 24 assists, and 28 points in 115 games.
Fan Take: Zach Jones’ strong AHL performance signals he could become an important asset for the Sabers, offering promising depth on defense. Hockey fans should watch his development closely, as he represents the potential for rising talent to impact the NHL in the near future.
