Jones An NHL Free Agent

At noon Friday, Chatham’s Ryan Jones will be on the hunt for a new NHL team after the Edmonton Oilers did not re-sign the unrestricted free agent.

In his first two full seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, Jones scored 18 and 17 goals, including a career high 33 points in 2011-2012. Last season however, Jones fell on the Edmonton Oilers depth chart after missing the start of the shortened NHL season with an offseason eye injury.

In 27 games last year, Jones managed only 2 goals and 5 assists, and was a healthy scratch multiple times late in the year. Jones is seen as a depth winger, capable of playing a checking role, and minutes on the penalty kill.

Although the door is still open for Jones to return to the Edmonton Oilers, the team is in a rebuild mode and has been looking to younger, more affordable forwards to fill their depth positions.