--- title: "Mammoth sign Zac Jones to two-year contract" description: "Utah adds a top-scoring defenseman with 62-point AHL season and NHL pedigree" url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/mammoth-sign-zac-jones-to-two-year-contract-7b7cfd67 published: 2026-07-03T08:28:09.148+00:00 updated: 2026-07-03T08:28:09.148+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["hockey"] --- # Mammoth sign Zac Jones to two-year contract > Utah adds a top-scoring defenseman with 62-point AHL season and NHL pedigree The Utah Mammoth have signed defenseman Zac Jones to a two-year contract worth $875,000 per season. Jones, an unrestricted free agent, arrives after leading all AHL defensemen in scoring with 62 points in 60 games for the 2023–24 season. His production outpaced every blue-liner in the league, underscoring his offensive value from the blue line. The 26-year-old brings NHL experience to Salt Lake City, having played 36 games with the Buffalo Sabres and 20 with the New York Rangers across two seasons. His arrival fills a clear need on a Mammoth blue line that ranked in the bottom half of the league in goals allowed per game last season. Jones’s deal accounts for 0.08% of Utah’s salary-cap space, a modest hit that preserves flexibility while adding proven top-four upside. The Mammoth prioritized high-end AHL scoring defensemen this offseason, and Jones’s track record aligns with that plan. “Zac brings a rare blend of offensive skill and defensive reliability,” said Mammoth general manager Mike Souza. “His puck-moving ability and shot from the point give us another weapon on the power play and penalty kill.” The 62-point explosion wasn't a statistical anomaly but a statement of capability that directly targets Utah's anemic power play. For a special teams unit that struggled to convert zone time into goals last season, Jones provides the quarterbacking presence necessary to unlock the offense. His transition capability addresses the chronic turnover issues that plagued the blue line, allowing Utah's forwards to focus on attacking rather than retrieving pucks in their own end. Structuring the deal at a modest AAV is a masterclass in asset management, giving Utah the flexibility to either retain a core piece or flip him at the deadline if the team falters. Unlike division rivals who cap themselves out with bloated deals for declining veterans, Utah remains agile. This move proves the front office values optionality over star power, ensuring they aren't handcuffed when bigger needs arise later in the season. This move signals a calculated pivot for Utah’s front office, which has struggled to find consistent offensive production from the back end. By targeting a player who dominated the AHL level rather than chasing fading NHL veterans, the Mammoth are betting on statistical upside over pedigree. Jones’s ability to drive play addresses the team's chronic struggles in limiting goals against. The low financial risk allows the coaching staff to deploy him in high-leverage situations immediately without the pressure of justifying a blockbuster salary. The acquisition also sets the stage for a competitive training camp battle for the remaining top-four spots. With Jones locked in, the Mammoth can now shift their focus to adding a physical stay-at-home defenseman to complement his skating style. Utah’s roster construction is shifting toward a modern, mobile defense corps capable of supporting a transition-heavy attack. If Jones translates his AHL scoring rate to the professional level, this contract will stand as one of the league’s most efficient value plays. ## Why this matters Jones’s signing addresses Utah’s need for offensive production from the blue line while keeping cap impact minimal. His AHL scoring dominance and NHL experience make him a low-risk, high-upside addition who can step into a top-four role immediately. The deal also signals the Mammoth’s intent to build through analytics-driven, positionally versatile defensemen rather than chasing marquee free agents. ## Frequently asked ### How many points did Zac Jones score in the AHL last season? Jones led all AHL defensemen with 62 points in 60 games during the 2023–24 season. ### How much is Zac Jones’s contract with the Utah Mammoth worth? Jones signed a two-year contract worth $875,000 per year with the Utah Mammoth. ### Which NHL teams did Zac Jones play for before joining the Mammoth? Jones previously played for the Buffalo Sabres and New York Rangers in the NHL. ### What percentage of the Mammoth’s salary cap does Zac Jones’s contract consume? Jones’s contract accounts for 0.08% of the Utah Mammoth’s salary-cap space. ### Why did the Utah Mammoth target Zac Jones? The Mammoth sought a defenseman with AHL scoring upside and NHL experience to bolster their blue line’s offensive output and defensive reliability. ## Sources & Citations - [Mammoth sign Zac Jones to two-year contract](https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/zac-jones-utah-mammoth-two-year-contract-signing-free-agency) — Daily Faceoff (2026-07-02) --- Cite: Mammoth sign Zac Jones to two-year contract. Sportopod, 2026-07-03. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/mammoth-sign-zac-jones-to-two-year-contract-7b7cfd67