The Anaheim Ducks could be without Max Jones for the rest of the season, as the young forward will undergo surgery to repair a torn pectoralis major tendon next Wednesday and is facing a recovery timeline of four to six months. GM Bob Murray released a short statement:
"It’s a tough blow for Max as he made strides last season and was heading in the right direction this year as well. We hope to have him back this year and at full strength."
Four months would have Jones returning near the end of February, but that potential six-month timeline could keep him out basically the whole season. It’s a brutal situation for the 23-year-old former first-round pick, who has had trouble establishing himself at the NHL level but had arguably his best stretch of hockey at the end of last season. He ended the year with seven goals and 11 points in 46 games, reaching 100 hits for the first time and leaning into his role in the bottom-six.
Now, with several months of rehab ahead of him, Jones not only will have to work back to that level but also runs the risk of falling further down the depth chart. In his favor is the three-year deal he signed in August, which carries a cap hit of $1.295M and keeps him under contract through the 2023-24 season, but even that is going to seem expensive if he can’t keep himself healthy enough to contribute. For now, he’ll sit on injured reserve and watch the Ducks as they try to stay competitive this season.
More must-reads: