from Michael Arace of the Columbus Dispatch,

On Saturday, he pulled 24 minutes, 24 seconds of ice time as the Blue Jackets defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 1-0 at Nationwide Arena. On Thursday, he pulled 26:47 and scored a goal in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Capitals in Washington.

It's not the ice time or the offensive aplomb or any other single facet of Jones' game that grabs attention. It is his burgeoning hossification. Jones is showing he has the ability and the desire to take control of games. That makes him a special defenseman, especially as the calendar turns from March to April.

"Our last two games, some guys just haven't played well and haven't been totally there," coach John Tortorella said. "I think it's probably the two best games I've seen (Jones) play. ...

"I cannot explain how many things he has done well, especially these past two games. It goes very unnoticed. He's also in charge of the kid next to him. But, man, the past two games, some of the things he has done ... it's really encouraging as we look forward to the real stuff."

read on