Rangers' Zac Jones on recent healthy scratches: 'It f***** sucks'

New York Rangers defenseman Zac Jones isn't thrilled with being a healthy scratch of late.

Jones spoke to Larry Brooks of the New York Post recently and let his feelings be known about what he's going through not being dressed, while his team continues to struggle on the ice. 

It f---ing sucks, it f---ing sucks. It's frustrating when you think you're doing some things well, and it's just, you just keep getting taken out, taken out, taken out," Jones said. "I just feel like I'm rotting away a little bit.

And it's tough. It's really f---ing tough. I mean, I'm not a 32-year-old guy collecting a paycheck. I'm a guy who wants to earn my paycheck. I need to play. I have things I need to improve in order to be a full-time player, and that's what I want to be. I want to be a guy who plays 82 games and be in the lineup every night.

The Rangers have lost four games in a row, and are 2-8-0 in their past 10. They continue to slide down the standings in the Eastern Conference, and GM Chris Drury is expected to continue to make major changes to the roster. 

Jones has eight points in 24 games this season, and has been praised multiple times throughout the year for his strong play. New York drafted Jones in the third round in 2019. The 24-year-old blueliner is a pending restricted free agent, making $812,500 against the cap this season.

Photo credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images