Rangers Assign Zac Jones to Hartford on Conditioning Stint, Recall Matthew Robertson

On Thursday night, the New York Rangers announced a series of transactions. The Blueshirts loaned defenseman Zac Jones to the Hartford Wolf Pack on a conditioning loan and assigned goaltender Dylan Garand to Hartford. Additionally, the team recalled defenseman Matthew Robertson from the Wolf Pack.

Jones has appeared in 28 games for the Rangers this season, recording a goal and seven assists. Jones has been a healthy scratch for a majority of the Rangers' recent contests. He went nearly six weeks without playing before Urho Vaakanainen dealing with an illness forced him into action on February 5th.

In his most recent stint with the Wolf Pack in 2022-23, Jones recorded 31 points (8 G, 23 A) over 54 regular season games. Jones added two goals and four assists across nine Calder Cup Playoff games.

Players cannot be sent to the AHL on conditioning loans without their consent, meaning Jones agreed to go to Hartford to play. Conditioning loans can last up to 14 days or five team games - the Wolf Pack have five games over the next two weekends.

The move is beneficial for both Jones and the Wolf Pack. Jones will presumably get top minutes in Hartford for the duration of his conditioning loan. The puck-moving defenseman is also a likely candidate to replace Robertson as one of the Wolf Pack's power play quarterbacks as well.

Meanwhile, the Wolf Pack are currently dealing with a significantly shortened blueline. Chad Ruhwedel, Erik Brännström, and Brandon Scanlin are all dealing with day-to-day injuries - none of them played the Wolf Pack's game at Springfield on Wednesday. Ben Harpur is out month-to-month, and Robertson has been recalled. As a result, the Wolf Pack are without five regulars on the blueline. Jones provides an immediate boost to a thin defensive core for the duration of his loan. He's expected to join the lineup tomorrow night.

Robertson, meanwhile, is in the midst of his best season as a pro. The 23-year-old defenseman has recorded a goal and 17 assists through 47 games with the Wolf Pack. He's been sound defensively as well, posting a +2. Robertson has played in all situations for Hartford and has found success.

"You talk about guys turning into complete players, [Robertson is] the definition of that," Wolf Pack head coach Grant Potulny told me back in December. "I think he's had a really good year."

Robertson, the 49th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, has tallied 73 points (11 G, 62 A) over 237 AHL contests with the Wolf Pack. He's yet to make his NHL debut, but this recall may give him the chance to finally skate for the Blueshirts.

The Wolf Pack are back in action tomorrow night, hosting the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. You can watch the game on AHLTV on FloHockey or listen on Mixlr.