NHL analyst predicts the Chicago Blackhawks will trade Seth Jones this season

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Tom Banks
September 27, 2024 (5:46 PM)

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Seth Jones has one of the biggest contracts in the NHL, but with a solid performance this season, one analyst predicts he could be traded by Kyle Davidson.

A few years ago, the Chicago Blackhawks traded for defenseman Seth Jones, handing him a massive contract, but with a new regime in charge and a new direction behind superstar Connor Bedard, things appear to be changing. Despite many seeing his $9.5 million AAV contract as untradable, ESPN's Greg Wyshynski appears to disagree.

The NHL isn't populated with 29-year-old defensemen who can skate top-pairing minutes (25:29 per game on average for Jones last season). His contract looks less elephantine with each passing season. This could be the season where Jones gets moved if the right situation presents itself to GM Kyle Davidson, who is not the GM who traded for and signed Jones to that contract

While the team still need talented players on the ice around Connor Bedard, moving Jones would change so much for the organization, as it would give them even more cap space to target a superstar or two in free agency, as well as allowing one of their improving young blue liners to find more minutes in the NHL. In response to this piece, Blackhawks reporter Tab Bamford has raised several points, with this one being the most important of all.

Third: Do the Blackhawks feel they have enough depth on the blue line - and, more importantly, are comfortable with another younger player stepping into a significant NHL role sooner than later. Because, while some folks have issues with Jones' performance since coming to Chicago, the reality brings me back to the point Wyshynski made about there not being a lot of relatively young - on, and right-handed by the way - defensemen on the market to replace him at 25 minutes per night.

The obvious answer on the top line would be rookie Artyom Levshunov, who many believe could be NHL ready, and if the team see flashes from him early in the season, expect them to shop Jones aggressively as they look to build around their solid young core for the future.

Source: Blackhawks Insider
Blackhawks will be trading away defensemen Seth Jones according to ESPN analyst Greg Wyshynski's prediction