Seth Jones looked like the star defenseman the Blackhawks traded for against Maple Leafs

The Chicago Blackhawks had to trade Seth Jones this past season.

Jones had forced general manager Kyle Davidson's hand talking with the media about his aspirations to be traded in late February. What followed was a quick exit from the franchise as Jones was traded on March 3 to the Florida Panthers, and subsequently the Blackhawks found new life.

When the Blackhawks traded for Seth Jones, the Hawks were getting their number one defenseman of the future. Jones had everything you would want in a number one d-man, he had size, skill and had success in the postseason with Columbus.

Jones had previously help shut down the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and Chicago was going to have Jones anchoring their blue line for the next decade.

Unfortunately, the hockey gods had other plans as the Blackhawks struggled throughout Jones's Chicago tenure, sparking a rebuild that kept Jones out of the postseason for five years. Getting the opportunity to play in a best of seven series has been good for Seth Jones.

Seth Jones looked like the star defenseman the Blackhawks traded for against Maple Leafs

In arguably the biggest game Jones has played in almost five years, the Panthers defenseman registered a goal, an assist and four shots on goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 7.

Throughout the broadcast last night, Jones was praised for his game and it all started with a great decision to join the offensive rush in the second period.

As of now, it seems like the Seth Jones trade has been a win-win-win for all sides involved. It was a win for the Blackhawks getting rid of the contract and negative energy in the locker room, it was a win for the Panthers as they found a new number one defenseman and it was a win for Jones himself who is eight wins away from winning his first Stanley Cup.

Seth Jones earned his Blackhawks salary in win over Maple Leafs.

Throughout the remainder of Jones's contract, the Blackhawks will be paying $2.5 million each year, but Jones earned it helping end the Toronto Maple Leafs season early. Chicago owns the Maple Leafs first round pick this year courtesy of the Maple Leafs trade for Jake McCabe in 2023.

Because of the Maple Leafs second round exit Chicago will be drafting 25th overall with Toronto's pick, the selection would have slid to 29th overall to 32nd overall if they had made it to the next round.