Teams are reportedly calling the Chicago Blackhawks to check on the availability of veteran defenseman Seth Jones (as per TSN’s Darren Dreger). Dreger revealed the information on today’s segment of Insider Trading and noted that the Blackhawks aren’t proactively shopping the 30-year-old.
Facilitating a trade of that magnitude would not be easy given that Jones carries a $9.5MM cap hit for an additional four seasons after this one. Jones also carries a full no-movement clause as part of his contract, meaning that he would have full control of where he goes which would further complicate an already difficult move.
Chicago’s trade to acquire Jones was a bit of a headscratcher when it was made back in July 2021. The Blackhawks were mired in mediocrity at the time and gave up a package that included defenseman Adam Boqvist, the 12th and 44th overall picks in 2021, and a 2022 first-round pick that eventually turned into the sixth overall pick. Chicago then handed Jones an ill-advised eight-year, $76MM contract extension right before setting out on a full rebuild.
Jones’s offensive numbers have been okay since joining the Blackhawks, as he has posted 28 goals and 106 assists in 245 games. However, his defensive work has left a lot to be desired as he’s posted a -103 plus/minus rating in four seasons, which is among the worst in the NHL during that time. Jones’s net clearing ability and rush defense continue to be a major issue that hasn’t improved over time, with no better example than in a 5-2 loss to Calgary earlier this week.
Jones isn’t likely to be traded given all the hurdles that would need to be cleared to make a move, but right-handed defensemen are always at a premium and Jones eats up a ton of ice time, having averaged 25:19 per game since he joined the Blackhawks (third in NHL behind Drew Doughty and Cale Makar). At the end of the day, the decision will be up to Jones as he holds the no-movement clause and can decide his own destination should he want to leave Chicago.
The last big “F You” that Bowman gave the Blackhawks before the scandal hit.
It would be a miracle to get someone to take Jones off the books
Jarry and Graves for Jones? Jarry and Karlsson (with retention) for Jones and a mid pick?
Pens deals are slightly higher AAV than Jones but years shorter.
Pens can hope Jones becomes what EK was supposed to be while shedding two deals.
Hawks can hope Jarry rebounds and either way, those deals are off the books when their young players (aside from Bedard) start needing second contracts while the Pens can eat the back end of Jones’ deal when things are REAL ugly and it doesn’t matter.
It’s a miracle that teams are even calling for Jones. I think the only way it works is for the Hawks to retain money and prolly attach a draft pick and get a prospect out of it. I really don’t think the Hawks need another draft pick back.
kinda sorta sounds like a leak from the Blackhawks to create a market for Seth Jones
I find it hard to believe that anybody is calling for Jones. He’s not worth half that contract Bowman gave him. Makes no sense for the Hawks to retain half that money for 4 more years. Like Josh said the Hawks only have 2 salary retention slots left and that would paralyze them in the future. Unless somebody takes his whole salary to move him, I don’t see any way they could pull that off. If the Hawks have to eat 4.75 million a year, then they’ll have to be getting multiple 1st round picks. It’s a nightmare deal Davidson has been left by Stupid Stan.
I bet there is a desperate GM who will get fleeced by giving up way too much for Jones.
Everybody’s calling about Seth Jones the same way everybody’s calling about Tristan Jarry or Mika Zibanejad