Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones has been the focal point of trade rumors spanning the last few seasons, but it seems the chances of a move are heating up ahead of next month’s Trade Deadline. Jones told Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times that he’d welcome a move if Chicago can find one, though he hasn’t yet formally requested a trade. Jones said, “If it happens, it happens. Obviously, while I’m here with the Blackhawks, they have my full effort [and] full attention.” He added that he’d hope a trade would give him a chance to join a playoff contender.
The Blackhawks have reportedly been contacted by multiple teams interested in acquiring Jones, but his lofty contract is a wedge in any negotiations. He’s in year three of an eight-year, $76MM contract signed on the same day he was traded to Chicago in July of 2021. His $9.5MM cap hit makes Jones the seventh-most expensive defender in the NHL, but his 26 points in 38 games this season ranks 14th in points-per-game among defensemen. Jones’ stat-line is rounded out with a minus-12, 16 penalty minutes, and 55 hits – continuing to paint him as a high-offense, low-defense puck-mover.
Jones has stood as Chicago’s number-one defenseman through each of the last four seasons, rivaling an average of 25 minutes of ice time in every year. He’s totaled 145 points in 255 games with the Hawks – the third-most of any Chicago defender since 2000, behind Blackhawks legends Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. Jones hasn’t led the team to the same heights as his company, but he has provided a consistent, veteran presence in front of a rebuilding Chicago lineup. The Hawks haven’t helped Jones along too much either. They’ve finished seventh or eighth in the Central Division and ranked in the bottom-four of NHL scoring in every year he’s spent with the club. Jones has been vocal about the emotional weight of that persistent losing in the past, telling Pope last season that the losing nature isn’t fun for anyone involved.
A timely trade to a playoff contender could go a long way towards spurring the 30-year-old Jones. He’s still a productive scorer capable of filling important roles at even-strength and on special teams. If a team can work around his hefty cap hit, Jones could be a quick way to boost the blue-line on a playoff hopeful. Chicago will likely need to retain part of his salary to make that happen, and may need convincing before they part ways with their clear-number-one. But top prospects like Artyom Levshunov and Sam Rinzel are both commanding more respect in Chicago’s pipeline, and could be apt replacements for Jones should his top-end role open up.
Like I’ve said it might be a good time to move on for both parties. He’s overpaid to be sure but if the Hawks could eat 2 million each year to save 7 million it might be a good outcome for the acquiring team also. The Hawks could save 7 million a year and add what the Cap is going up it could be an improvement in the Hawks fortunes if spent wisely. The key word being “Wisely”. Wisely might just be extensions for the right prospects. Not necessarily big money FA’s. Although Bedard can use a big scoring winger until one moves up the system which doesn’t seem likely in the next 2 years.
It’s going to be awhile before those extensions are any kind of an issue, though. In 2026-2027, Bedard will be getting a big bump, of course. Nazar and Korchinski will also be due, but those likely won’t be so significant.
In 2027-2028, whatever college players eating the first year of the their ELCs this year will come due. Oliver Moore, Sam Rinzel, Ryan Greene? They’ll all spend part or all of their second year in the AHL. Again, probably not a big concern.
By 2028, the Bertuzzi and Teravainen contracts will be done, too, and presuming the cap goes up as predicted, it’s still not too much of an issue.
The 2 big needs sooner rather than later will be a High scoring winger and probably a Goalie. Mrazek and Broissoit are both only signed through next year and Soderblom is stepping up. Can’t even believe I just said that after last year. Commeso and Gajan are having growing pains so they might have to step up a trade or sign an expensive FA. Since Soderblom is staying on his feet and is able to now slide to cover the back door instead of playing on his knees all the time the results are amazing. I said it at the time that Gajan wasn’t the right pick as Hrabal was obviously better to me at least. Gajan only had that 1 great Juniors tournament and has been blah ever since. Hope I’m wrong about him but sounds like I’m not. Somebody better start stepping up and soon.
With that Toronto pick later in the first round, I wonder if they will target Ravensburgen (sp), the 6-7 goalie who is supposed to go around then.
As you mentioned, they really need a couple of top-6 players — winger or center — and it’s less likely to find that around #20 or so. They’ve already got a bunch of guys who project as well as any forwards available there–Moore, Nazar, Boisvert, Lardis, Kantserov, etc–so let’s step up and grab the goalie.
Lardis and Kantserov are exploding in their respective leagues as well
Ted- I’m not against that at all. But the fact is even if they do that he won’t be here for a few years at best in all likelihood. The D seems set for awhile. With Vlasic, Arty, Korchinski and Del Mastro on hand. Jones is getting paid because he was supposed to be the point man on the PP but his shot and play making ability aren’t all that was advertised. He’s not useless but not worth top dollar. KK and Arty are the future of the PP with Vlasic being the #1 defensive defenseman. This isn’t the deepest draft like the last couple were and Davidson loaded up. The scorers we have are all very young and could use a leader. A G there would be the perfect add like you said. I completely agree.
Except Kantserov is in Russia and you count on him totally until he wants to come and gets himself out. But those 2 guys are definitely genuine.
I suspect Dallas would be the major front runner for Seth Jones. They’re in much need on the right side & Jones would be a nice addition to their defensive core in filling part of the problem especially since Matt Dumba has been a big disappointment for them in helping the issue.
Would Dallas be willing to give up Stankoven if Hawks paid half of Jones salary?
The Jones contract was toxic from day one, How some of these GMs keep there positions is beyond me!
Stan Bowman has been gone for 3 years now. This was his disaster.
Just look at Grandpa Lou with the Islanders. Almost every contract he’s handed out has been a disaster. Yet he’s still there ready to give out more.
True, Just like Tallon built the Stanley Cup teams.
Mike Smith erasure!
I would love a Faulk for Jones trade straight up. Divisional rivals, basement dwellers…let’s have some fun
Rather keep Jones. That deal saves nothing and keeps another bum in front of prospects. The idea here is to LOSE him. Not take back another loser.
I’m sure the Rangers will be jumping all over Jones. They just love to have over paid name players on Broadway. They have to keep their Cup winless streak alive.
They should pool a couple of their prospects to get a young player who can play with Bedard right now. He needs running mates.
Dallas Stars.
Hearing Rantanen might be on the move again, but the Canes don’t need Seth. Hmmmm……..
How bout Seth at half salary for Miko………not enough.
How bout Seth at $3M retained and Bertuzzi and the Star’s 2nd for Miko and Orlov!!!! DONE DEAL!!!
Carolina could definitely use Jones, The Canes have gone with six D all season largely because of no significant injuries, But they have no depth on the blueline.
Why would the Hawks want two pending UFAs?
More likely Jones for Sean Walker and picks/prospects while CHI retains 25%+.
I could see Colorado kicking tires but I don’t if the organization enough to make a move to accommodate a trade.
Another team that may make sense is Philadelphia, Torts loved Jones in Columbus, and ive already seen stuff about Dallas making sense especially with $12M in LTIR pool with another $4M available on top of that, would have to imagine Dumba would have to be in a deal
Maybe. But the fact is that the Hawks would do better to lose Murphy at this deadline and save moving Jones to this summer when everybody will have money and hope springs eternal. They’re going to have to figure out if they want to keep 3 G’s next year because right now Broissoit, Mrazek and Soderblom all are slated to be here next year at the moment. Soderblom needs to play to keep getting better and Hawks are going nowhere this year. He should play every game he’s able to. Jones should bring more in the summer when they’ll probably get better offers. No need to hurry it.
If covering multiple years of his contract can net you a 1st round pick I would definitely think about it . Blackhawk can afford covering 1 year or maybe as much as 3 full years .. Basically buying a draft pick while opening up cap freedom when it’s needed the most in a few years
You can’t pay down on a contract for only a portion of the contract. If the Hawks cover say 1M it’s 1M for every year left not just for 2 or 3 years. And I doubt any team likes him enough at 8.5M per for the next 4+ years unless the Hawks take a overpaid contract back. Even if it’s only for 1 more season or so. And the Hawks probably don’t see the value in that.
It’s going to have to be for a similar contract. No one wants to pay him what he’s owed for the next several years.
Wanna bet? If the Hawks have to retain any more than 2 million a year then we might as well keep him. Like I said, He’s not a bad player, he’s not a bad D man, He’s not a Clubhouse cancer he’s just slightly overpaid and didn’t become what Bowman said he would. Bowman is an idiot.
I’ll take that bet. While holding on to Seth may sound as their best option, it’s clear that he’s not the least bit interested in hangin around.
Now, how many contenders are willing, and able, to take on that contract without a huge retention?
Yeah, Well Bowman is still out there and for some reason still has a job. So there’s that.
he fits the LA Kings style
Jones to Dallas, Hawks eat 40%, For Lian Bichsel.