Top-Pairing Right-Handed Defenseman Officially Requests Trade: Leafs GM Brad Treliving Must Act Fast
A potential trade option may be the answer to the Toronto Maple Leafs need at defense and by all accounts, the team should go hard at trying to acquire him.
A recent development has changed the NHL trade market with a sudden top-pairing defenseman now being reportedly unhappy and seeking a trade.
Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones is in talks on a potential trade, with the five-time NHL All-Star looking for the chance to join a contending roster.
The Chicago Blackhawks are currently four points behind the San Jose Sharks for last place in the NHL.
Even with Connor Bedard the Blackhawks have struggled with a lack of support around their young superstar as well as depth pieces at forward both from veterans and prospects.
Despite a lack of long-term forward options, the Chicago Blackhawks have a strong defensive core with a deep youth pool in their pipeline.
Their system has names including recent second-overall pick Artyom Levshunov who has quickly handled the intensity of the pro game in the AHL with Rockford, along with Kevin Korchinski, Ethan Del Mastro, Alex Vlasic, & Nolan Allan showcasing themselves as potential NHLers in the short-term in the minors.
Also, Sam Rinzel has become one of the NCAA's top defensemen, giving Chicago a potential full six-man defensive core for a decade, potentially leaving Jones out.
Could Seth Jones Be On His Way To Toronto?
Jones has six goals and 26 points in 38 games this season for the Blackhawks.
The obvious question is Jones' contract. On the third season of an eight-year contract, Jones is making $9.5M annually until 2028.
Any deal involving Jones almost certainly involves retention, and for Toronto likely means a hefty salary working.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are undoubtedly a team looking at defensive help with consistent injuries and the decreasing production of top defenseman Morgan Rielly.
For retention starting at 50% on the Blackhawks end for five years, the price would likely still cost them a roster player to balance out the incoming $4.75M.
The Blackhawks need a forward rather than a defenseman but may be fine with a short-term defenseman such as Matt Benning, or Conor Timmins.
It's a costly option, especially given the Toronto Maple Leafs seem set on acquiring a forward, but Jones is an experienced top-pairing defenseman who could be a much needed #1 option for the Leafs back end.
