Prospect Update: Max Jones

By Thomas Harrington

The Anaheim Ducks drafted Max Jones 24th overall a year ago. He’s a tough, physical forward but he needs to work on keeping his emotions in check.

Jones completed his second season with the London Knights of the OHL this past season. He appeared in 33 games for the Knights and scored 17 goals and 36 points. Unfortunately, that is a drop off in every statistical category from the season before when Jones scored 28 goals and 52 points in 63 games. The good news is that even though he scored less, his goals and points per game both improved over the previous season. Even more importantly was Jones’ impact in the playoffs. In his rookie season, he scored a goal and two points in six games. This past season, Jones played in 14 playoff games for the Knights and scored seven goals and 12 points.

At the conclusion of his junior season, he joined the San Diego Gulls on an ATO and he was really impressive in his brief stay with them. He played in nine of San Diego’s 10 playoff games and scored a goal and two points. While his offensive output wasn’t great, he had a number of great scoring chances and hit a couple of posts as well. If not for some great saves and bad luck, he would have had a few more points. Even more impressive than his offensive abilities was the fact that, for the most part, he didn’t look out of place playing at the professional level. He still made some junior level mistakes, but the physical game didn’t overwhelm him the way it does to some players when they step up from the junior levels.

The big concern with Jones is his discipline level. With the Gulls, he had a total of six penalty minutes in those nine games. However, the concern comes in when you look at his junior career. In his rookie season, he had 106 penalty minutes. This past season, that number dropped to 65, but keep in mind that he played in almost half the number of games as he did the year before. Jones’ penalty minute totals are too high, but the bigger concern is his history of dangerous hits that lead to suspensions. In his rookie season, he received a 12 game suspension in the playoffs, and this is possibly one of the reasons why he was still available when the Ducks stepped up to draft him at 24th overall. This past season, he was suspended 10 games for cross checking an opponent in the mouth. If you haven’t seen the play, here’s a link to the video.

While it’s not the most egregious of cross checks, it was completely unnecessary. The play was over; there was no need for Jones to hit an unsuspecting player in the face like that. While Jones was likely upset over the contact with his goalie, that is still not a reason to cross check someone in the face. If he can learn to control his temper and cool off, he could turn into a very effective power forward someday. He plays with a lot of emotions, but he’s going to need to learn to control them if he wants to be in the NHL.

This coming season, the biggest thing I want from Jones is for him to keep his nose clean. He’s a tough player who goes into the dirty areas, but he cannot afford another lengthy suspension for a third year in a row. Besides that, I just want to see him continue to improve his offensive game. He could be a real offensive star for London this coming season.

In terms of his NHL future, Jones is closer than most 19-year-olds in Anaheim’s farm system. In the Calder Cup Playoffs he showed that he’s physically mature and likely ready for a full season with San Diego. However, he’ll either be in the OHL or NHL this coming season. As a result, it wouldn’t surprise me if the Ducks do give him some games early in the season, and then return him to London. With Ryan Kesler potentially missing time, I think Jones is one of the better options that Anaheim has from the junior level to fill in for him. However, this would mean that Rickard Rakell would return to center, and then Jones would step in to fill the empty spot on Anaheim’s wing. I don’t think he’s quite ready for a full NHL season, but I do think a few games with the Ducks would help his development along.

While I don’t think he’s ready for a full NHL season right now, Jones will have an excellent chance in the 2018-2019 season to make Anaheim’ roster. Personally, I think he’s more likely to split time between the Ducks and Gulls that season, and be ready for full-time NHL action in the 2019-2020 season. The Ducks aren’t deep at left wing, but they have enough talent there that they won’t have to rush him to the NHL.

Jones is currently signed to a three year entry-level contract, and it will begin when Jones turns pro. If he plays in Anaheim this season for 10 or more games, it will start this season. However, if he plays fewer than 10 games and returns to juniors, his contract won’t kick in for another season. When it’s over, he’ll be a restricted free agent, and as long as he cleans up his play, I fully expect Jones to be re-signed when that happens.

The next prospect update will be on Josh Mahura.

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September 14th, 2017

Filed under: Ducks News Tagged: Anaheim Ducks, Ducks, ducksnpucks, Max Jones, Prospect update