Seth Jones blasting the Chicago Blackhawks should have happened sooner

Seth Jones has every right to call out the Chicago Blackhawks terrible play as an alternate captain.

However, it would have been nice for him to lash out before he made it clear he wants to be traded. Maybe he was reminded during his meetings with the front office to work out a trade that he does wear an "A" on his sweater and that is why he is speaking up.

What Jones said after the Hawks' effort in their 2-1 defeat to Utah is not wrong.

It just does not seem authentic.

If he thinks the team has not improved since the first game, then it would have been better to say something around say, December. Instead, he decides to speak out just a few days before the trade deadline after he recently revealed his agent is working with the Blackhawks to deal him.

He sounds like a guy running the playbook to get himself traded instead of trying to inspire his teammates. The play he is running is become a locker room problem to force the team's hand.

He has made it clear he does not think the Blackhawks will be a winner anytime soon. That is why he want out.

However, if he thinks lashing out like this will lead to the Hawks dealing him, well, no one is blaming him. The Blackhawks are terrible.

He is already despised by a good portion of the fan base since he is the team's highest paid player who will never live up to that designation.

So this wrestling-like heel turn is not going to get fans to put the pressure on the franchise to get him out of Chicago since that has been happening ever since he came to the Blackhawks.

Fans knew former general manager Stan Bowman gave up way too much just to get the exclusive negotiating rights to Jones. He gave up a first-round pick and way too much cap space for a guy who is a good player, but not capable of winning a Norris Trophy.

Maybe Jones felt he had to point out to everyone that the Hawks were awful despite Arvid Soderblom allowing two goals.

You can have those nights where the goalie gives his team a chance to win, but the rest of the team is so awful that there is no chance of getting a victory.

That is what happened as the Hawks lost their fourth-straight game.

Jones has always been more of a lead by example alternate captain. That is why him blasting the team is worth taking notice. It would likely have had some meaning had this not been said while he tries to work his way out of town.