Jones was one of four players named to the roster who did not play for the U.S. in the 4 Nations Face-Off last February, but his career has been rejuvenated since being traded to the Panthers by the Chicago Blackhawks on March 1.
“My name wasn’t on a lot of lists over the past year,” Jones said before the Winter Classic. “You look back a year ago and I probably didn’t deserve to be on a list; I wasn’t playing the greatest hockey in Chicago. I think the trade to Florida has given me new life.”
The 31-year-old was selected by Nashville Predators with the No. 4 pick in the 2013 NHL Draft. He has 465 points (105 goals, 360 assists) for the Predators, Columbus Blue Jackets, Blackhawks and Panthers. He’s in his first full season with Florida after helping the Panthers win their second straight Stanley Cup championship, getting nine points (four goals, five assists) and a plus-11 rating in 23 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
Jones is the latest big-name player on the Panthers to miss time this season. Captain Aleksander Barkov (knee) is out for the regular season. Forward Matthew Tkachuk has not played all season after having surgery to repair a torn adductor muscle and sports hernia Aug. 22. He said Sunday he could return during Florida’s six-game road trip that begins at the Toronto Maple Leafs (7:30 p.m. ET; SNO, TNT, HBO MAX) on Tuesday.
Florida (22-16-3) enters Monday one point behind the Washington Capitals for the second wild card into the playoffs from the Eastern Conference.
