As of December 20, 2024, the main question being discussed is the imminent return of Seth Jones and his $9.5 million cap hit.
While it’s certain Jones will be sent back down into the lineup, the bigger issue is how he fits into the current team. The power play (PP) is running smoothly, and we don’t need him to disrupt it. He wasn’t particularly effective in that role before—he’s more like a player who takes shots that miss the mark or get blocked, rather than someone who creates high-quality opportunities.
Unless Anders Sorensen (coach) can pull off a miracle and turn Jones into an elite playmaker or difference-maker on the PP or at 5-on-5, we have no reason to reverse our current skepticism about his value. At this point, he hasn’t shown anything that justifies a $9.5 million contract, let alone the potential to consistently star at this level.
The problem is we’re stuck with his contract, which has five more years left after this season. It’s an outrageous cost, and there’s little chance of trading it without significant concessions. So, what do we do?
I’ve suggested in the past that Seth Jones might be better suited as a forward. He’s athletic and can rush the puck, and with his size and speed, he could be a physical, chaotic presence who creates space for teammates. His passing isn’t great, and his shooting is inaccurate, but his straight-line speed and power could make him effective as a winger.
He won’t score much, but he could forecheck effectively, carry the puck out of the defensive zone, and create openings for other players. I think he’d be a better winger option than Joey Anderson.
I’d like to see Jones as a right-winger for Lukas Reichel. Both players have speed, and Jones’ power could create space for Reichel to maneuver. Alternatively, he could pair with Frank Nazar as a winger. Freeing him from defensive responsibilities—like gap control, cycle coverage, and zone reads—could make him more effective. Instead, he’d focus on rushing the puck up the ice and hitting opponents with speed and size.
In this simplified role, Jones could become a chaos creator. He wouldn’t need to process the game as deeply as a defenseman, which seems to be a struggle for him. Instead, he could use his physical tools to disrupt opposing defenses. While he wouldn’t be worth $9.5 million even in this role, he might actually contribute meaningfully to the team.
Imagine him as a power forward—a big, fast, physical presence who drives the net and forces turnovers in the offensive zone. He wouldn’t be expected to make fancy plays, just create space and opportunities for other forwards by being a physical train barreling into opponents.
This approach might unlock a new side of his game and help the team in ways we haven’t seen before. At this point, we don’t have much to lose by trying him as a winger. There’s far more to lose if we keep forcing him into a defensive role where he struggles and becomes a liability.