Seth Jones’ tenure with the Chicago Blackhawks has not gone as he envisioned when he arrived in 2021. Now in his fourth season—and the third year of his massive eight-year contract—Jones has admitted that the idea of a trade holds some appeal.
Although he has not formally requested a move, he, his agent Pat Brisson, and Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson have been in discussions about the possibility. Jones acknowledged that moving his $9.5 million cap hit would be challenging but expressed his desire to compete for a championship at some point in his career. While he remains with Chicago, he is committed to giving his full effort to the team.
Jones’ No-Movement Clause and Cap Hit Complicate Potential Trade Scenarios for Blackhawks
Jones holds a full no-movement clause, meaning he has control over where he could be traded. However, even if he approves a deal, finding a trade partner is complicated. A contending team would need to be both interested in Jones and able to fit his sizable contract under their salary cap.
With the trade deadline looming on March 7, the Blackhawks would need a compelling incentive to part ways with the veteran defenseman. At full salary, Jones’ contract is a major obstacle, but if the Blackhawks retain 50% of his salary—bringing his cap hit down to $4.75 million—he could become a valuable asset.
Seth Jones (NHL)Even with a retained salary, the Blackhawks must weigh whether trading Jones is the right move. Holding back half his salary would tie up one of the team’s three retention slots for the next five years, limiting future trade flexibility.
Additionally, Jones remains an experienced, top-four defenseman who eats up significant minutes, making him a valuable presence on a team still trying to develop its young talent. The Blackhawks have moved past their full-scale rebuild and are now looking to strengthen their roster, meaning they may not be in a rush to part with a veteran player unless the return is substantial.
Blackhawks Weigh Youth Development Against Veteran Leadership in Defensive Lineup Decisions
The emergence of young defensive prospects—Artyom Levshunov, Kevin Korchinski, and Sam Rinzel—raises the question of whether Jones fits into the Blackhawks’ long-term plans. While the team is eager to develop its young blue-liners, they will still need an experienced defenseman to guide them through their transition to the NHL.
Jones, with his skill and leadership, could serve that role if he remains with the team. However, if the Blackhawks receive a strong trade offer, they may decide to move on from him and fully commit to their youth movement.
Despite the trade speculation, Jones remains focused on helping the Blackhawks improve. He has been open about his frustration with the team’s struggles but has also taken accountability for his own performance. With 27 games left in the season, his primary goal is to help the 17-31-7 Blackhawks win games.
Veteran teammate Pat Maroon has even set an ambitious goal for the team to play at a .500 pace the rest of the way. While Jones’ future remains uncertain, he is committed to giving his best effort for however long he remains in Chicago—whether that’s for a few weeks or several more years.