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For quite some time, the Chicago Blackhawks have been at a crossroads when it comes to veteran defenseman Seth Jones. The 30-year-old has been in the Windy City for four seasons now, but he’s still in Year 3 of an eight-year contract that carries a $9.5-million annual salary cap hit. Yet, while he’s not a perennial Norris Trophy candidate, and under the right circumstances, Jones would be a valuable addition to a genuine Stanley Cup contender.
Jones hasn’t quite panned out as an upper-tier blueliner, but he’s a serious minute-muncher – averaging 24:43 of ice time in 29 games this season – and he’s also capable of mixing in some offense, posting 13 assists and 16 points on the season. You have to bear in mind he’s always going to be at least partially judged based on his salary like most NHLers are, but Jones has the size and stamina to be a top-pair D-man and a highly-valued right shot.
Now, Jones’ exorbitant salary makes him a non-starter for many teams that otherwise would be interested in trading for him. Also compounding the potential problems with him is the no-movement clause he has in his current deal.
Related: Five NHL Trade Destinations For Blackhawks’ Taylor Hall and Ryan Donato
Would the Hawks be willing to retain some of Jones’ salary to make a deal happen? That depends on what type of price Chicago wants in exchange for his services. And clearly, the Blackhawks will find the prospect of paying a portion of his salary through the summer of 2030 not a palatable choice. But keeping Jones a Blackhawk, at a time when Chicago may not be a playoff team for a couple of years to come, doesn’t serve the franchise very well at all.
That said, if you’re Hawks GM Kyle Davidson and you can persuade Jones to waive his NMC to go to a true Cup contender, you absolutely have to do that, don’t you? Jones will be approaching his mid-thirties by the time his contract is done – not close to his prime – so you want to acquire him sooner rather than later.
And while getting out from under his contract is more or less all you can hope for if you’re Davidson, you still will be able to spend nearly $10 million on other areas of Chicago’s roster. That has to count for something in the Blackhawks’ big picture. But, it may not happen until much closer to the NHL’s March 7 trade deadline if it happens at all.
In sum, we’re saying that a lot of stars have to line up perfectly for a Jones trade to come to fruition. The easiest road ahead for Jones has him remaining in Chicago, but his skill set alone makes it worthwhile for other teams to explore bringing him aboard.
Jones ultimately gets to pick where his next destination is, but there’s still a deal to be done for what he brings to the table. And while multiple teams may need to be involved to make all the moving parts work for all the interested parties, Jones may wind up being the best defenseman on the trade market.
Related: Why Blackhawks’ Taylor Hall Is Worth Trading For Right Now
If you’re the Hawks, the status quo as it pertains to Jones may be the least palatable option. However, a creative and motivated GM could work with Davidson and wind up pulling off what would be one of the biggest blockbuster moves we’ll see this season by acquiring Jones.
He isn’t the perfect defenseman, but he checks off a lot of boxes, and that could ultimately be what ends Jones’ time in Chicago well before his contract runs out.
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