Three years into an eight-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, Seth Jones is open to the possibility of moving to a contender.
On Wednesday, Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Jones hasn’t formally requested a trade but that the 30-year-old defenseman and his agent have discussed the idea with Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson.
Former Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman acquired Jones from the Columbus Blue Jackets in July 2021 and re-signed him shortly afterward, hoping Jones would help revitalize the team. However, with the Blackhawks in a rebuild under Davidson, the team’s trajectory has shifted.
Jones acknowledged that his contract, with an average annual value of $9.5 million through 2029-30 and a full no-movement clause, makes him a difficult player to move. However, a trade remains a possibility. In January, TSN’s Darren Dreger reported that teams had reached out to the Blackhawks to inquire about Jones’ availability. The Hockey News’ Adam Proteau pointed out that Jones still holds value as a top-pair, puck-moving defenseman.
Proteau suggested that moving Jones could happen if the Blackhawks agree to retain part of his cap hit, especially as the salary cap is expected to rise in the coming years. The offseason might offer the best chance for the Blackhawks to move Jones, though a three-team trade before the March 7 NHL trade deadline can’t be ruled out. Potential trade destinations include the Winnipeg Jets, Carolina Hurricanes, and Columbus Blue Jackets, as mentioned by Rob Couch of The Hockey News.
Other Trade Speculation
As NHL teams prepare for the resumption of the schedule after the 4 Nations Face-Off, here are some additional trade rumors.
Jonas Siegel of The Athletic believes the Toronto Maple Leafs should take bold action by addressing their roster needs before the trade deadline. With stars like Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Mitch Marner not getting any younger, Siegel wonders if management will be willing to part with top prospects and a 2026 first-round pick to secure more immediate help.
Adam Proteau also speculates that the Colorado Avalanche might be looking for depth at the trade deadline, particularly on defense and at center. The team is still uncertain whether captain Gabriel Landeskog will return before the season ends. With $4.76 million in cap space, the Avalanche’s flexibility could be impacted if Landeskog comes off long-term injured reserve before the playoffs.
Stu Cowan of The Montreal Gazette believes the Canadiens, following a 1-7-1 slump before the 4 Nations break, will be in “hard sell” mode by the trade deadline. UFA-eligible players like Jake Evans, Joel Armia, David Savard, and Christian Dvorak could be on the move before March 7.
Finally, James Murphy of RG.Org reported that the Boston Bruins are evaluating Morgan Geekie’s long-term role with the team. The 26-year-old left winger, an RFA this summer with arbitration rights, has drawn interest from both playoff contenders and rebuilding teams.