The Blackhawks May Already Be the “Front-Runner” for Seth Jones

The Blackhawks’ interest in accelerating their rebuild with an elite level defenseman has been discussed loudly and often this offseason. And that was before they traded Duncan Keith to the Oilers. The draft remains one way to fill this need, but it’s certainly less sexy (and far less immediate/certain) than going after a true No. 1 defenseman like Seth Jones or Dougie Hamilton, to whom they’ve been connected all summer.

And while trading for Caleb Jones, Seth’s brother (more on him later today), won’t be much of a factor in any such deal, Seth is likely to be on the move before the season or at the deadline (because he told the Blue Jackets he won’t re-sign with the club once his contract ends after the 2021-22 season). So add it all up and … are you really surprised to learn that the Blackhawks may be the front-runners for Seth Jones?

Here’s the latest via Craig Custance and Dom Luszczyszyn at the The Athletic (emphasis mine):

One team said their expectation is that Jones’ preference is to play in Chicago, Dallas or Florida, although those aren’t his only options. Chicago has been mentioned most recently because of the Keith trade ….

The Blackhawks may be the front-runner. Guys love playing in Chicago. The concern is whether or not the team is close to real playoff contention, something Jones will have to weigh.

The Athletic characterizes the likelihood of a Jones deal (to any team) as “high,” and mentions Dallas and Florida as two other possibilities. But the writing is clear: “The Blackhawks may be the front-runner.”

So … great, right? After trading Keith, the Blackhawks have the need and financial flexibility to add someone like Jones (and, of course, the desire was already there before Jones’ brother was traded to Chicago). Meanwhile, Jones may actually prefer to play in Chicago, where he could help shorten the timeline of this rebuild and return the Blackhawks to their rightful place among the league’s best teams.

Ah … not so fast.

There’s still the enormous hurdle of the acquisition cost. Back in mid-June, when these rumors first emerged, the expectation was that any Seth Jones deal would require a first-round draft pick, a second-round draft pick, and a high-end prospect. A lot to ask, no doubt, but not completely out of the question. Unfortunately, it only got steeper from there.

After that report came out, one league source told Mark Lazerus (The Athletic) that “Kirby Dach likely would have to be part of any deal for Jones.” And it’s gotten even worse since.

Just yesterday, Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek speculated that a Seth Jones deal for the Blackhawks “starts with Dach” and ALSO includes some combination of Ian Mitchell, a draft pick, and either Alex DeBrincat or Adam Boqvist.

Our official position on that theoretical proposal? HARD. PASS. 

The Blackhawks have already said that they have no interest in trading Kirby Dach (and it’s not like his trade value is exactly an all-time high, either) and giving up Alex DeBrincat should also be a non-starter in 99% of trade packages after his bounceback this season. As Mario put it yesterday: “Jones is a good player, a top-tier defenseman that would make a huge impact on the blue-line for the Blackhawks, but at that price, you hedge your future and pretty much make the team worse.”

Making this all the less likely? Custance and Luszczyszyn get into the asking price, and it might be even more aggressive than what was already laid out (and shot down) above: “[Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Keklainen] doesn’t need draft picks. He wants young players. Centermen.”

That was just the opinion of one anonymous executive, whose motivations could be extremely wide-ranging and are almost certainly self-serving, but it’s another data point for this rumor.

And the fact remains that Jones has just one more year of team control at $5.4 million before hitting unrestricted free agency. Perhaps some sort of extension would/could be worked out in advance of completing any sort of deal (that anonymous executive hints in this direction), but that is decidedly NOT what you’re getting in a trade.

I don’t have much of a conclusion for you here right now, but I can say that this smoke is pervasive and the interest seems genuine on all sides. The acquisition cost may forever be too high to get something done without being counterproductive for Chicago, but that’s what negotiations are for. Let’s see if they can get this one done.

To keep up with this rumor and the latest on the Blackhawks, make sure you’re following us on Twitter and hit that like button on Facebook:

written by

Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy. You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami

more blackhawks news

Blackhawks 0, Senators 2 — Three Stars, Key Takeaways

Remember when the Blackhawks went to California for three games and started each game like they had 45 minutes of hockey to start caring? And dug a deep hole in each game that they were only able to escape from...

Blackhawks at Senators – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

Don't look now, but the Chicago Blackhawks have won six of their last ten games. They still sit in second for the NHL draft lottery, but they're trending in the right direction; they're .500 in the month of March with...

These 3 Blackhawks Veterans Are Having Terrific Seasons

Entering Thursday night's action, the Chicago Blackhawks have the second-worst point percentage in the NHL -- even while they're 6-4-0 in their last 10 games. And they own the second-worst goal differential in the league (minus-76). It's been a long,...

28 on 28: Steve Larmer’s Rookie Season Remains the Blackhawks’ Standard

We're ten games away from the end of the 2023-24 regular season, and Connor Bedard continues to put up remarkable numbers for at age 18 in his first professional season. He will likely join Steve Larmer on the list of...

The Greatest Sports Watching Day of the Year, Next Year’s TV, an IceHogs Stunner, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

Congratulations, sports fans! Today, March 28, 2024 is the greatest sports viewing day of the calendar year. Hands down, lock it up, no competition. It's Opening Day in MLB and Sweet 16 day one in the NCAA men's basketball tournament....

NHL Notes: Penguins Paradox, Torts Apologizes, Doan’s Dazzling Debut, Rangers Punch Ticket, More

It's a mid-week edition of NHL Notes and we have plenty to cover around the league. The Penguins find themselves with a tricky decision as their season draws to a close. John Tortorella dished out an apology to one of...

We Need to Talk About Jason Dickinson As a Selke Trophy Candidate — Again

Back in early February as the Blackhawks wrapped their pre-All-Star Game schedule, I wrote about Jason Dickinson's case for Selke Trophy votes. We're now ten games away from the end of Chicago's regular season, and with Dickinson reaching 20 goals...

Slaggert’s Big Night, Bedard’s Tape, Felcman to Rockford, Anderson, Tinordi, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

I'm gonna continue to smile, just like Landon Slaggert, because of his performance in last night's Blackhawks win. The former Notre Dame captain had his parents and young brother in the stands and he had one helluva game last night....

Blackhawks 3, Flames 1 — Three Stars, Key Takeaways

The message Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson was trying to get across with Monday's bag skate clearly landed. The start Chicago had on Tuesday night was a polar opposite of what they showed in the three games in California. They...

Blackhawks vs Flames – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

After a disappointing road trip that saw the Blackhawks get smoked for 7 of 9 periods, the team got a bag skate on Monday to think about their effort. They'll get back on the ice tonight in front of a...

Latest News

Diamondbacks vs. Rockies: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

In their season opener on Friday, Corbin Carroll and the Arizona Diamondbacks take on Nolan Jones and the Colorado Rockies, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at Chase Field.Keep reading to find out how to watch the Arizona-Colorado...

Guardians vs. Athletics: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

Logan Allen will take the mound for the Cleveland Guardians when they square off against starter Ross Stripling and the Oakland Athletics in their season opener on Friday, with first pitch at 9:40 PM ET.Find out how to watch the...

How to Watch Mariners vs. Red Sox: Live Stream or on TV

In their season opener on Friday, Julio Rodriguez and the Seattle Mariners play Rafael Devers and the Boston Red Sox, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at T-Mobile Park.Keep reading to see how to watch the Seattle-Boston matchup...

Padres vs. Giants: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The San Francisco Giants (0-1), led by Jorge Soler, visit Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres (2-1) at 9:40 PM ET on Friday.If you're intending to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV options for the...

How to Watch Dodgers vs. Cardinals: Live Stream or on TV

The St. Louis Cardinals (0-1), led by Paul Goldschmidt, visit Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers (2-1) at 10:10 PM ET on Friday.The article below will give you everything you need to watch Los Angeles take on St. Louis.When...

OMG: Michael Busch Scored the 9th Inning, GO-AHEAD Run, Because He Just Never Stopped Running

That was absolutely incredible. To all the little kids out there, when your coach tells you to never stop running, this is why. Rookie Cubs 1B Michael Busch (the guy the Cubs got from the Dodgers this offseason to be...

Astros vs. Yankees: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

On Friday, the New York Yankees (1-0) play Kyle Tucker and the Houston Astros (0-1), with first pitch scheduled for 8:10 PM ET at Minute Maid Park.The article below will provide you with everything you need to know to watch...

Rays vs. Blue Jays: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

At Tropicana Field on Friday, Aaron Civale versus Chris Bassitt will be the pitching matchup when the Tampa Bay Rays (0-1) play the Toronto Blue Jays (1-0), starting at 6:50 PM ET.If you're intending to watch this game, keep reading...

Enhanced Box Score: Rangers 4, Cubs 3 – March 28, 2024

It took exactly one day for the Cubs' ace to sustain what may be a significant injury, for their closer to blow a save, for the umpires to significantly impact the outcome of a critical play (this time in the...

Justin Steele Injury Update: New Classification, MRI Tomorrow, IL Stint Coming? Steele and Counsell Speak

A significant update on Justin Steele came from Craig Counsell tonight after the Cubs extra innings loss in Texas. In short: Yes, a stint on the Injured List is likely for Justin Steele. But we still don't know how severe...

more blackhawks news