Speculation: Seth Jones says he's talking with the Blackhawks about the possibility of a trade

[qc14]

I still don't quite get it. Seth Jones is a good player and yes, he is overpaid, but it's not like the Blackhawks are up against the cap and won't be for some time even when it comes to re-signing Bedard. I know the report came out that he was approached if he were open to a trade and of course Jones confirmed that he was open to the idea of winning, but I don't see him traded where the primary benefit for the Blackhawks is cap relief. They don't need cap space and Jones is still a good player despite his tendency to look awful for a game or 2.

The only way I see him moving is if the Hawks get real assets in return whether it's draft picks or young players. He isn't Trouba and the Hawks have 17 players signed for next season and would be ~$12M below the floor WITH JONES AND HIS $9.5M contract.

If the Hawks are not in a position where Jones' contract is a hindrance to them in three years I think that would be a pretty massive failure

 

[MHO]

If the Hawks are not in a position where Jones' contract is a hindrance to them in three years I think that would be a pretty massive failure

Maybe. But a lot can happen in 3 years and if they don't trade him now, that doesn't mean they'll never be able to trade him whether it's next seasons or 3 seasons from now.

All I'm saying is trading him now for nothing but cap space doesn't really do anything for Hawks.

 

[Behn Wilson]

I wonder how Bedard is liking his club’s best D man publicly wanting out?

Vets are clogging up the Defense pipeline. Hawks have a plethora of dmen ready to step in. Its going to be a young and exciting defense in a few years once Rinzel, Korchinski, etc hit the show. I am looking forward to it.

 

[qc14]

Maybe. But a lot can happen in 3 years and if they don't trade him now, that doesn't mean they'll never be able to trade him whether it's next seasons or 3 seasons from now.

All I'm saying is trading him now for nothing but cap space doesn't really do anything for Hawks.

It mitigates a lot of risk for them. Sure, there's a chance Jones remains what he is or even improves three years from now. There's also a probably higher chance that he declines even further and his contract goes from "slight overpayment" to "massive boat anchor." Trading him now obviously punts on any upside but it also completely removes any of the risk of not being able to move him further down the line.

I also don't think they would get nothing. A deal probably looks a lot like the Karlsson to PIT trade where they take on a bunch of shorter-term money and get a single first round pick or something to that extent.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

Maybe. But a lot can happen in 3 years and if they don't trade him now, that doesn't mean they'll never be able to trade him whether it's next seasons or 3 seasons from now.

All I'm saying is trading him now for nothing but cap space doesn't really do anything for Hawks.

Teams want Jones now. At 30. Less teams will want him when he’s 33 or 34 years old.

It’s pretty simple.

 

[Ace Card Bedard]

Jones to Florida in the summer. Ekblad can take a wheelchair exit unless he takes a significant pay cut and then we can park him on the second/third pair. Jones would take the spot with Forsling who can cover for anybody.

For what return?


Sawchyn and Florida's 2026 1st?

 

[blankall]

It definitely wouldn't be his first choice. That said, if the market is baren, then he may be willing to go to a bubble team like Calgary because they're at least not a bottom feeder. But I'm not sure I would want to pay the cost, I really don't think it will be as cheap in terms of assets as some think... Seth has quickly become underrated the last couple years and put him on a pair with someone like Weegar and I think he turns things around.

Fair enough. Seth Jones 2 years ago would have been sold off at a discount. I think when people see the price of a top 2 defender on the market, Jones may actually begin to look like a bargain. If the Flames could get a player like Jones and then an upgrade on their #1 centre, they'd have a very solid roster.

 

[TotalHomer]

For what return?


Sawchyn and Florida's 2026 1st?

Would have to crunch the cap numbers but if you eat a million of his deal I'd do it. The cap hit is the prohibiting factor for many teams.

 

[AuraSphere]

The problem with Jones to Toronto is they have very little cap to work with. Not to mention Dewar and Jarnkrok are about to come off LTIR.

From Toronto’s perspective, they’d have to send multiple of Domi, Jarnkrok, Kampf, Reaves, Timmins and Benoit to make it work. I could also see them sniffing around Donato in a package deal.

So with some Jones retention it’s possible, but complicated. I’m not gonna even try a proposal, but someone else can go for it if they wish.

Not really - if we don't resign Marner after this season - can easily fit Jones. This season is the problem yes - but we can send cap dumps to chicago for 1 year to make it work assuming they arent retaining anything

 

[McJedi]

Please don't let it be the Avs. Please let some other foolish team acquire this guy's contract.

 

[Hockey Dad]

What would the blackhawks want with no retention from dallas. Obviously Dumba would be going to Chicago

 

[BigTomBomber]

What would the blackhawks want with no retention from dallas. Obviously Dumba would be going to Chicago

No retention? Dumba for Jones,
1-for-1

 

[WarriorofTime]

No retention? Dumba for Jones,
1-for-1

PASS

 

[starsfan86]

PASS

Aw come on!

 

[StickShift]

Florida seems like the natural fit once Ekblad is off their roster this off-season.

Being out of the spotlight in Florida has rehabilitated players before. Not a bad bet if they can get Chicago to retain.

 

[banks]

If Chicago is retaining, then I'd love for Toronto to take a look. I know it makes me sound like I'm stuck 5 years in the past, but: Rielly-Jones would make a great pairing. With the depth on the team you could cut Jones' minutes to a reasonable 21 or 22, and I think they'd play well together.

Take a pick or prospect, and probably add Kamnpf or Jarnkrok.

 

[Crow]

Not really - if we don't resign Marner after this season - can easily fit Jones. This season is the problem yes - but we can send cap dumps to chicago for 1 year to make it work assuming they arent retaining anything

Cant you fit marners raise with Tavares getting paid less and sign jones anyway with the huge cap ceiling increase?

 

[bernmeister]

Seems awful for the rangers. Full retention on zib and getting Jones back without retention. That’s like paying Seth Jones almost 13 mil

It is awful. beyond awful
but that is what it would take to ditch this guy like now, given the nmc he has that Rs should never have given him

presum Rs get some use out of Seth and have more flexibility down the road

I mean at $4.25 my guess in your hypothetical trade the hawks just hold onto Zibanejad.

fine by me except zib nmc, as I noted we think he wants to stay NY or maybe BOS

WTF would Hawks do this?

We are 2nd worst team in NHL with Bedard only notable coming RFA in future, We dont need cap relief

sure, you don't NEED the relief
AND
IF you get a better deal for Jones at full pop you should take it
but that said
if you don't
cap space is always a useful asset!

 

[u2wojo]

If Chicago is retaining, then I'd love for Toronto to take a look. I know it makes me sound like I'm stuck 5 years in the past, but: Rielly-Jones would make a great pairing. With the depth on the team you could cut Jones' minutes to a reasonable 21 or 22, and I think they'd play well together.

Take a pick or prospect, and probably add Kamnpf or Jarnkrok.

I hope Chicago resists retaining. This contract with the cap jumping 10 millionish per year is easy to absorb going forward if you can get through the next season or two (which you do by taking a contract dump back or making a broader deal and retaining on a shorter contract like Mrazek, Donato, or Dickinson). The return would have to be pretty spectacular for me to want to be retaining 5 years even at say a million per.

 

[FoxysExpensiveNYDigs]

Rs want to dump Zib, will go half max
he will likely not waive we think exceptions might be NYI, BOS

Jones + 2nd to NYR for Zib at half + expiring Lindgren full pop 4.5
Zib then retained by CHI another 2-ish m per, and flipped to relocation of choice for short term cap dumps

3rd team gets super cheap Zib
Hawks get cap relief
Rs get less headache and mystery box in Jones

thoughts?

So you want to retain 4.25 for 5 years on Zibanejad AND pay Seth Jones 9.5 for 5 more years? Put down the pipe.

 

[bernmeister]

So you want to retain 4.25 for 5 years on Zibanejad AND pay Seth Jones 9.5 for 5 more years? Put down the pipe.

except Rs can get some short term use out of SJ then flip
Zib = prob due to nmc
I'm sure you want to continue to ignore these facts, but reality says hello

 

[FoxysExpensiveNYDigs]

except Rs can get some short term use out of SJ then flip
Zib = prob due to nmc
I'm sure you want to continue to ignore these facts, but reality says hello

Yes, taking on 14 mil per year in salary for 5 years for the pleasure of having Seth Jones is much more realistic.

 

[ManofSteel55]

What would the blackhawks want with no retention from dallas. Obviously Dumba would be going to Chicago

Dumba and Ceci could also be a part of it to get relatively close on the dollars. Dumba, Ceci, a near NHL ready prospect, but not a young NHL'er like Bourque or Stankoven, and a pick (a 2nd at best, IMO).

Helps Chicago clear Jones' contract, gives them cash and cap space in the short and long term, gives them a couple of young players to work with. For Dallas, it gives them one of the best top four defense cores in the NHL when healthy.

Heiskanen - Lindell
Harley -Jones
Bischel - Lyubushkin

 

[Strangle]

It’s not the money so much as it’s your play not living up to the money

 

[bernmeister]

Yes, taking on 14 mil per year in salary for 5 years for the pleasure of having Seth Jones is much more realistic.

especially when you don't nec need to keep him all 5 yrs b'c you have flexibility, unlike under zib's nmc

again, reality says hello, pls stop ignoring me