The Chicago Blackhawks could be open to trading defenseman Seth Jones if they receive an offer that meets their conditions.
According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, sharing the information during Monday’s “DailyFaceoff Live” show (h/t House of Hockey), the Blackhawks’ precarious situation might make it easier for the team to trade the high-salaried blueliner.
“When you look at Seth Jones’ deal-nine-and-a-half million bucks AAV, the perception of that deal changes if three years from now we’re talking about 113-and-a-half million bucks,” Seravalli said. “He’s a good defenseman, but he’s an overpaid defenseman right now.”
As Seravalli pointed out, those figures might not look gaudy in a few years under the new NHL salary cap projections, but they do now for the second-worst team in the NHL.
Jones, 30, is in the third year of an eight-year, $76 million contract carrying a full no-move clause and a huge $9.5 cap hit.
While the Blackhawks are not actively shopping him, Seravalli suggested the organization is open to exploring options, a report that aligns with TSN’s Darren Dreger’s claims on Jan. 17 that teams have been calling about Jones.
“Teams are calling, and they’re asking about Seth Jones’ availability,” Dreger reported.
Meanwhile, The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta reported similar information at the same time.
“The Blackhawks are willing to move Jones–under the right circumstances, of course,” Pagnotta said.
Seravalli noted that Chicago’s struggles have put Jones in a tough situation given the disparity between his talent and the team’s rebuilding situation.
“He’s been playing 25 minutes and 18 seconds a night in four years for the Blackhawks,” Seravalli said. “He doesn’t have any help. He’s asked to do way too much. And, oh, by the way, he has nothing to play for.”
Jones has posted five goals and 19 assists in 35 games this season. The Blackhawks sit 31st in the league with a 16-31–5 record and are only one point ahead of the league-worst San Jose Sharks (15-34-6) in the standings.
