Revisiting the Blackhawks Trade for Seth Jones
Only hours before the 2021 NHL draft was set to begin, the Chicago Blackhawks acquired Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Seth Jones. Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman was hoping to build on the team’s surprisingly successful 2020-2021 season with this move, envisioning Jones as the final piece to push the team back into playoff contention. However, nearly three years after the trade, the results have been far from what was hoped.
The Trade Details
To Chicago:
– Seth Jones
– 2021 first-round pick
– 2022 sixth-round pick
To Columbus:
– Adam Boqvist
– 2021 first-round pick
– 2021 second-round pick
– Conditional 2022 first-round pick (top two protection, becomes 2023 first-round pick if triggered)
Lead-up to the Trade
Seth Jones’s departure from Columbus was expected in the 2021 NHL offseason, as he had made it clear that he wouldn’t sign a long-term deal with the Blue Jackets, forcing their hand to trade him. Despite concerns over Jones’s performance due to two underwhelming seasons in 2019-2020 and 2020-2021, the Blackhawks opted to pay a high price to acquire him.
The Blackhawks were in an intriguing position during the 2021 offseason. Despite missing the playoffs, they finished just one game under .500 in a competitive Central Division and even held a playoff spot for a while before faltering towards the end of the season. This performance convinced management that the team could return to playoff contention.
Chicago received notable performances from rookies like Kevin Lankinen and Pius Suter, as well as stellar play from Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat, and a late-season resurgence from Vinnie Hinostroza. These factors led to the belief that adding Jones could push the team over the edge.
The Aftermath
Stan Bowman’s desire to keep the Blackhawks’ window for contention open is evident in this move. Following the trade, Chicago signed Seth Jones to an eight-year, $76 million contract with a $9.5 million AAV. While the trade’s cost was debated, the contract was widely viewed as an overpay for a player whose elite production had waned.
The Jones trade was part of an active offseason for the Blackhawks, including acquiring Vezina Trophy-winning goalie Marc-Andre Fleury from the Vegas Golden Knights and Tyler Johnson from the Tampa Bay Lightning. These moves were aimed at competing for a Stanley Cup but ultimately did not pan out.
Evaluating the Trade
Nearly three years later, this trade appears to be a lose-lose situation for both teams. For Chicago, the team was never competitive during the 2021-2022 season, and Stan Bowman resigned in October 2021. His successor, Kyle Davidson, opted to rebuild the team, leaving Jones as one of the league’s highest-paid defensemen on a struggling team. Jones has not returned to elite form, with declining offensive production and struggles in his own zone. The Hawks used the first-round pick from Columbus to draft defenseman Nolan Allan, who remains a top prospect.
Columbus did not fare much better. Adam Boqvist has struggled with injuries and was recently bought out, now playing for the Florida Panthers. The Blue Jackets used the 2022 pick to draft David Jiricek sixth overall. While Jiricek shows promise, he has struggled to secure a regular spot in the lineup. The most positive outcome for Columbus has been Cole Sillinger, drafted with Chicago’s 2021 first-round pick, who recorded 32 points in 77 games this season. However, if Jiricek fails to develop, this trade may be viewed as a loss for both sides.
Conclusion
As the three-year anniversary of the trade approaches, it’s clear that trading for Seth Jones was a mistake for the Blackhawks. Following a series of fluke performances, the team’s management mistakenly believed they were closer to contention than they were. Now, Jones is tied to the Blackhawks on a burdensome contract, with an uncertain future as the team rebuilds.
