Why the Blackhawks shouldn’t trade for Seth Jones

The Chicago Blackhawks have salary cap space to use for the first time in a while and have been linked with spending a chunk of that on a defenseman.

Now we don’t have a crazy amount of cap space but with the recent trade of Duncan Keith to the Edmonton Oilers, we have even more space and a spot open on the defence that needs to be filled.

They are pretty big shoes (well skates) to fill and with all the trade rumours running about, one name keeps coming up and that’s Seth Jones of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Seth Jones is a big-bodied puck-moving defensemen that is a top-line guy. He kills penalty’s, plays on the top power-play unit and plays 25+ minutes a night. What’s not to like.

Last year was a down year but he still managed a healthy total of 28 pointed (5G 23A) in 56 games. Compare that to Blackhawks top point defenceman Adam Boqvist with a total of 16 points (2G14A).

Seth Jones would be our number one d man if we were to trade for him, there’s no doubt about that. His ability on and off the puck would be huge for the Blackhawks to lean on but at what cost.

There have been a lot of rumblings about what the cost of a trade would be for the Hawks and that is our 2021 first-round pick (11th)  Kirby Dach or Alex Debrincat, Ian Mitchel or Adam Boqvist and possible more picks!

Now I’m not the general manager of the Blackhawks, but if I was, any trade that involves sending away Alex Debrincat or Kirby Dach I’m hanging up the phone. There is no doubt Seth Jones is a star defenseman in the NHL but at this cost, I don’t see how the Blackhawks will make this work.

For this reason, this is why the Chicago Blackhawks should maybe try their luck with Dougie Hamilton. He’s a free agent so wouldn’t have to give up any assets at all but he will be in high demand. He had 42 points (10G 32A) in 55 games for the hurricanes this past season.

He will be after a good chunk of money but if the Blackhawks can get a team-friendly but fair deal then this should be the root they take. He is more of an offensive defenseman but can look after his own end!

Now as the expansion draft looms, I wouldn’t be expecting much activity on the trading front as teams will most likely wait till after the expansion draft is done with on the 21st of July. Once that is over and teams know where they’re at, I expect a busy few weeks.

The main thing for the Chicago Blackhawks is that they keep hold of the best young players like Dach and Debrincat. They are the future and we need them for years to come.