NHL insider predicts a trade is on the way for Blackhawks defenseman
A prominent NHL insider has revealed that the Chicago Blackhawks are closing in on a trade for their star defenseman Seth Jones.
ESPN analyst Greg Wyshynski, not long ago, floated the notion that the Chicago Blackhawks might deal defenseman Seth Jones this season. Still just 29 years old, Jones is a number one defenseman who plays in excess of 25 minutes per game, which should make him very desirable as the NHL salary cap goes up and up. With a contract that runs five seasons past 2024-25, the question of his future with the Blackhawks has been one of quite a bit of discussion lately.
Whether a trade happens or will not, everything depends on a host of issues running from the willingness of Jones himself to waive his trade protection to the overall strategy that will be pursued under General Manager Kyle Davidson.
Seth Jones is, without question, one of the top players on the Blackhawks blue line, having averaged 25:29 minutes of ice time per game last season. He's a cornerstone defenseman, able to take big minutes and play in all situations. The Blackhawks are still in the process of rebuilding, though, and if young defensemen develop through the system, then maybe the team will think about adjusting its roster. A Jones trade would let management in Chicago garner assets more in line with their long-range plans, be those draft picks or younger players.
One complication in a potential trade would be the partial no-trade clause of Seth Jones. He would have some say over a potential destination, and any trade would need to be mutually beneficial for both Jones and the Blackhawks. In addition, with his large contract, any interested team would need to have cap space or flexibility to fit his salary, yet another complication in completing a deal.
It would give the Blackhawks major cap relief to move Seth Jones, affording them other opportunities or investing in younger talent. The Blackhawks have made it pretty clear that they're shifting philosophically, having cleared cap space and prioritizing the growth and development of younger players. Moving Jones would further that agenda by freeing up both salary and a roster spot for a younger defenseman to step into a larger role. Of course, they would need to weigh that depth on 'D' carefully before doing so, not wanting to create a major void on the blue line.
The move could very well place Seth Jones on a more competitive team, pending whether Chicago continues their rebuild into the next few seasons. With the wealth of playoff experience he's collected, the experienced defenseman could very well end up being a valuable asset to a team looking for an extended postseason run. It means the Blackhawks are using Jones when his overall trade value is highest, even though he remains an extremely productive player, and the team may conclude their most promising route is capitalizing on that now rather than later in a contract that only grows more burdensome to trade.
The one thing that could work for Chicago in trying to accelerate rebuilding processes may be dealing away Seth Jones. Should a suitable offer come in that fits their long-term vision and he's open to this trade, then Chicago could take it to remain open towards building more with younger talent. They're going to want to balance the return carefully against losing a top defenseman. In turn, they'll want to be certain their defensive depth can handle such a major change. A trade of this nature would put the Blackhawks on a better course for future success.
| POLL | ||
Will Seth Jones be traded by the Blackhawks? | ||
| Yes | 106 | 62 % |
| No | 65 | 38 % |
| List of polls | ||
