Jan 13, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones (4) looks to pass the puck against the Calgary Flames during the second period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Teams are said to be contacting the Chicago Blackhawks to inquire about the availability of experienced defenseman Seth Jones. Dreger disclosed the details in today’s edition of Insider Trading and mentioned that the Blackhawks are not actively seeking to trade the 30-year-old player.
Executing a trade of such scale would be challenging, considering Jones has a $9.5MM cap hit for four more years beyond this one. Jones possesses a complete no-movement clause in his contract, granting him full authority over his destination, which would add to the complexity of an already challenging trade.
The deal Chicago made to obtain Jones raised some eyebrows when it occurred in July 2021. At that moment, the Blackhawks were stuck in mediocrity and surrendered a set that featured defenseman Adam Boqvist, as well as the 12th and 44th overall selections in 2021, along with a 2022 first-round pick that ultimately became the sixth overall choice. Chicago subsequently granted Jones a poorly considered eight-year, $76MM contract extension just before embarking on a complete rebuild.
Since joining the Blackhawks, Jones’s offensive stats have been decent, recording 28 goals and 106 assists over 245 games. Nonetheless, his defensive performance has been lacking, as he has recorded a -103 plus/minus rating over four seasons, ranking among the poorest in the NHL during that period. Jones’s ability to clear the net and his performance in rush defense remain significant problems that have not seen any improvement, as highlighted by a 5-2 defeat to Calgary earlier this week.
Jones is unlikely to be dealt with due to the many obstacles that would have to be overcome for a transaction. Yet, right-handed defensemen are consistently valuable. Jones consumes a significant amount of ice time, averaging 25:19 per contest since becoming a Blackhawk (ranking third in the NHL behind Drew Doughty and Cale Makar). Ultimately, the choice will rest with Jones since he possesses the no-movement clause, allowing him to determine his future if he wishes to depart from Chicago.
