The Chicago Blackhawks have announced another serious injury to a depth defenseman, this time ruling Caleb Jones out for six weeks with a wrist injury. He joins Wyatt Kalynuk on the sideline, taking out two options for the team to start the year.
Jones, 24, was acquired from the Edmonton Oilers as part of the package that sent Duncan Keith north, and was immediately seen as a precursor to Chicago’s eventual trade for his brother Seth Jones. The two were united with the Blackhawks (though their compensation is a touch different) and set to start the season together for the first time in their NHL careers.
It wasn’t exactly clear what Caleb Jones’ role would be with the team, but given Kalynuk’s injury, there were plenty of minutes to go around on the bottom pair. Ian Mitchell may be the beneficiary of these injuries as a spot has opened for him on the NHL roster, though newcomer Jakub Galvas could also potentially slot in on his off-side. Regardless of how they work it out, losing two legitimate NHL options so early puts a lot of pressure on the depth chart immediately.
Not to be forgotten though is the cap situation, which is actually positively affected by this injury. Jones was unlikely to be sent to the minor leagues, meaning the team has a little more added flexibility in terms of who to place on LTIR and when to do it. The Blackhawks will be dancing a delicate routine this season after acquiring big-ticket players like Seth Jones, Marc-Andre Fleury, and Tyler Johnson this summer.