Seth Jones on Pace to Make Not-So-Good History

I’m going to preface this entire discussion with a simple caveat: I do not consider plus-minus to be an end-all indicator of the quality of an individual player’s play. There are a lot of factors that go into a high or low number, but sometimes outliers make you think…

The NHL started officially tracking individual player plus-minus stats during the 1967-68 season, at which point the Blackhawks were a 41-year-old franchise. In the 55 years since then, the Blackhawks have had some incredibly good players — and some ugly individual seasons. We’ve seen rebuilds, bottoming out and points-of-no-return before. We’ve also seen a handful of Stanley Cup Final appearances, and three championships in the last decade.

There have been some Hall of Fame defensemen to play in Chicago over the years who put up great numbers. Some of them have also had tough times of their own. Duncan Keith was minus-11 in his rookie season (2005-06), a season in which the Blackhawks had a 26-43-13 record.

But in the history of the Blackhawks (since 1967-68), there have only been 12 seasons in which a defenseman posted an individual plus-minus of at least minus-20. That number could become 14 this season.

The worst number in Blackhawks history belongs to Dick Redmond, who was minus-40 in 80 games during the 1976-77 season. What’s crazy: he was plus-26 just a couple years prior. David Logan, whose minus-22 in 1976-77 was the second-worse in franchise history for more than 20 years, “achieved” that number in only 34 games!

The second-worst number in franchise history belongs to Seth Jones, who was minus-37 last year. Jake McCabe‘s minus-27 last year is the fourth-worst total in team history.

Right now, Seth is on pace to become the first player in franchise history to post multiple seasons of at least minus-20 for the Blackhawks. He’s minus-22 in 29 games to start this season.

Seth was also minus-23 in his rookie season (2013-14), which could put him in not-so-great company as well. Among all active defensemen in the NHL, only six have had at least three seasons of minus-20: Seth Jones (three) Shayne Gostisbehere (three), Ben Hutton (three), Jeff Petry (three), Rasmus Ristolainen (four), Damon Severson (three).

Here are the worst individual plus-minus seasons for a Blackhawks defenseman in franchise history:

  1. Dick Redmond: -40 (1967-68)
  2. Seth Jones: -37 (2021-22)
  3. Duncan Keith: -29 (2017-18)
  4. Jake McCabe: -27 (2021-22)
  5. Deron Quint: -26 (2003-04)
  6. Jassen Cullimore: -24 (2005-06)
  7. Bryan Berard: -24 (2003-04)
  8. Seth Jones: -22 (2022-23)*
  9. David Logan: -22 (1976-77)
  10. Adrian Aucoin: -22 (2006-07)
  11. Dale Tallon: -21 (1976-77)
  12. Calvin de Haan: -21 (2021-22)
  13. Jack Johnson: -21 (2022-23)*
  14. Phil Russell: -20 (1975-76)
    * – active

The silver lining? You might notice the seasons attached to these 14 are bunched together. There are five from last year and this year (three last year and two more this season). There are three from the 1975-77 window. And three more from the 2003-07 window.

In each of the earlier windows, the Blackhawks emerged with key players who helped change the trajectory of the franchise. Chicago drafted Doug Wilson sixth overall in 1977. And, of course, they drafted Jonathan Toews third overall in 2006 and Patrick Kane first overall in 2007. Maybe if we all cross our fingers, Connor Bedard‘s name will be added to those other three icons.

written by

Tab Bamford has been writing about the Chicago Blackhawks for almost two decades. He joined Bleacher Nation as the lead Blackhawks writer in May 2022. Tab is a member of the Professional Hockey Writers Association and is the author of two books about the Blackhawks: "100 Things Blackhawks Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die" (Triumph Books) and "Chicago Blackhawks: An Illustrated Timeline" (Reedy Press, 2021). Find him on Twitter/X/Instagram/Threads at @The1Tab

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

Washington State vs. Illinois Women’s Basketball: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

Two hot teams meet when the Washington State Cougars (21-14) host the Illinois Fighting Illini (17-15) on April 1, 2024. The Cougars will put their three-game win streak on the line against the Fighting Illini, who have won three straight.On...

Villanova vs. Penn State Women’s Basketball: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Villanova Wildcats (21-12) will try to extend a three-game winning streak when they host the Penn State Lady Lions (22-12) on April 1, 2024. The Lady Lions have also won three games in a row.In its previous game, Villanova...

Brewers vs. Mets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Milwaukee Brewers are moneyline favorites (-110) to begin their season with a road win over the New York Mets on Friday at 1:40 PM ET, live on SNY.Freddy Peralta takes the mound for Milwaukee while Jose Quintana is New...

Braves vs. Phillies Probable Starting Pitchers – March 29

The Philadelphia Phillies (0-0) host the Atlanta Braves (0-0) in an Opening Day game at 3:05 PM ET on Friday.The Braves will look to Spencer Strider against the Phillies and Zack Wheeler.Braves vs. Phillies Pitcher Matchup and Game InfoWhen: Friday,...

Suns vs. Thunder Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder (50-22) are 2.5-point underdogs against Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns (43-30) Friday, March 29, 2024 at Paycom Center. The game starts at 8:00 PM ET on KSBI. The matchup's point total is...

Brewers vs. Mets Probable Starting Pitchers – March 29

The Milwaukee Brewers (0-0) begin their 2024 season with a road matchup against the New York Mets (0-0) on Friday, with first pitch at 1:40 PM ET.The Brewers will give the nod to Freddy Peralta versus the Mets and Jose...

Cavaliers vs. 76ers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Philadelphia 76ers (39-34) are 8-point underdogs against the Cleveland Cavaliers (44-29) at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Friday, March 29, 2024. The game starts at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup's point total is set at 212.5.Our computer predictions...

Heat vs. Trail Blazers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Portland Trail Blazers (19-54) will attempt to end an eight-game losing streak when they visit the Miami Heat (39-33) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at FTX Arena as heavy, 14-point underdogs. The contest airs at 8:00 PM ET on...

Rockets vs. Jazz Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Utah Jazz (29-44) will try to end a seven-game losing streak when they host the Houston Rockets (37-35) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Vivint Smart Home Arena as 7.5-point underdogs. The contest airs at 9:30 PM ET on...

Bulls vs. Nets Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Chicago Bulls (35-38) hit the court against the Brooklyn Nets (28-45) as 5.5-point favorites on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup has an over/under set at 214.5 points.Before you place an informed wager...

more blackhawks news