NHL Rumor Mill – February 20, 2025
Could Seth Jones accept a trade from the Blackhawks? What’s the latest on the Avalanche? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
SETH JONES AND BLACKHAWKS MANAGEMENT DISCUSS TRADE POSSIBILITY.
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Ben Pope reports Seth Jones talks with Chicago Blackhawks management about a possible trade. The 30-year-old defenseman hasn’t formally asked to be moved, but he and his agent Pat Brisson discussed that option with general manager Kyle Davidson.
“If it happens, it happens,” said Jones. “Obviously, while I’m here with the Blackhawks, they have my full effort (and) full attention to this team to try to get this team better.”
Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones (NHL Images).
Jones is in the third season of an eight-year contract with an average annual value of $9.5 million. The deal also has a full no-movement clause, giving him complete control over possible trade destinations. He said he wants to give himself a chance to win, but admitted moving his contract won’t be easy for the Blackhawks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: TSN’s Darren Dreger reported last month that teams called the Blackhawks about Jones. I dismissed that speculation because of his hefty contract.
Some teams could be willing to take the chance with the salary cap projected to increase significantly over the next three years. The rebuilding Blackhawks could be happy to get an affordable return (draft picks, prospects, young, cost-effective players) to get Jones’ big contract off their books.
Jones remains an effective, big-minute defenseman who could thrive with a contender but his contract remains difficult to move. Interested clubs will likely want the Blackhawks to retain part of Jones’ annual cap hit or take back a toxic contract in the deal. It could take a three-team trade to spread around his cap hit to make it work.
Sorting out Jones’ cap dollars is one thing. Finding suitable trade destinations is another. His NMC could significantly hamper efforts to move him.
Trading Jones seems more likely during the offseason when teams have more cap space. Nevertheless, we can’t dismiss the possibility that he gets moved by the March 7 trade deadline.
LATEST AVALANCHE SPECULATION
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau wonders if the Colorado Avalanche will make another splash in the trade market. They made a major move by shipping Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes for Martin Necas and Jack Drury last month.
Proteau observed the Avalanche have over $4.76 million in projected trade deadline cap space. He believes they need depth on their third defense pairing and at forward.
THE DENVER POST: Sean Keeler believes the Avalanche could use another defenseman or two and help at center. However, they need clarity about the status of team captain Gabriel Landeskog, who is still attempting a comeback from the knee surgeries that have sidelined him since the Avs won the Stanley Cup in 2022.
Keeler also noted the Avalanche’s projected trade deadline cap space. He pointed out that reactivating Landeskog and his $7 million AAV would force them to move another player to become cap-compliant.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Avs become buyers for rental players before the trade deadline, it could signal that Landeskog’s attempt comeback is over, at least for this season.
IDK what to make of Landeskog situation. We need some sort of resolution. The Avalanche very secretive about all that, don’t like it but if he really has a shot @ returning, I hope for him that this is true but let’s see some evidence already. Miss him as leader and it shows in that department without him!! If not, let’s move on with the plan. This team is too good to languish in mediocrity. We need to take advantage of the speed and skill. A better mix of skill and grit would be better: both on blue line and forwads
tommy boy, while I can understand his burning desire to get back to the game he loves, the fact he’s now 32 y/o and hasn’t played a game since sometime in early 2022 dictates that it’s time to bow out and, for the remainder of his contract, serve it on LTIR in the same fashion as Price. Sad … but it’s effectively over.
In the history of the NHL no player has been out for in excess of 3 years due to severe knee issues and has made an effective comeback.
And since management must realize that a miracle is an extreme long-shot, it begs the question, why is he not now on LTIR?
George, Landeskog is on LTIR. That’s why Keeler wrote that reactivating Landeskog would mean the Avs would have to shed salary to become cap compliant.
Huh. Thanks Lyle. I could have sworn when I checked Puckpedia before writing that, that it indicated “IR”! Old eyes playing tricks on me, I guess.
we all know that Landeskog won’t play until the playoffs begin… stick with the “Vegas” plan
I really doubt we’ll ever see him play again. And, even if he did actually return to the line-up, it can never be the same Landeskog. Out far too long.
Sweeney will send you Carlo the Colorado boy for Mildlestad and a mid rd pick I’m sure
would consider frederic before carlo but welcome carlo, he would be a good fit on the blue line
Mrbruin4,Tommy boy, the bruins look to be in trouble with injuries to Mcavoy and Hampus Lindholm still in a holding pattern!This gives Sweeney the excuse to start dealing pieces away and restock the shelves!The only people I would not consider trading are 88,73, and 39,he reminds me of Nathan Horton! The only other option is to you the Vegas,TB way of using the LTIR if they are out for a long time!
Mrbruin4,Tommy boy, the bruins look to be in trouble with injuries to Mcavoy and Hampus Lindholm still in a holding pattern!This gives Sweeney the excuse to start dealing pieces away and restock the shelves!The only people I would not consider trading are 88,73, and 39,he reminds me of Nathan Horton! The only other option is to use the Vegas,TB way of using the LTIR if they are out for a long time!
Sr, I think the Bruins are in a better position to make trade deadline deals than any of those they are currently battling for a playoff spot.
In Ottawa’s case – no Norris & no Pinto = another year on the outside looking in – and there are really no immediate deals that I can see that would bring in players to make up for their absence.
In that event I would think Staios would use the summer to make the trades he sees necessary to change the culture of losing.
That way he has more time than he’d have at the deadline to properly assess any exchanges, including whether any incoming players would a) agree to come here in the first place (i.e., waive any restrictions in NMC/NO TRADE TO SPECIFIC TEAMS clauses … and they re-sign here.
And I would see NO player classified as “untouchable.” If a deal seems right – make it.
I would love to see the Stars bring Seth Jones back home. (where he grew up) Not sure what a deal would like because of the money, but I would imagine a bad contract would have to go back to Chicago or a third team…and the worst contract on the team is Seguin’s. Although I’m not thinking that Nill would trade him, nor would the Blackhawks want him at that price. Would love to shed Dumba’s contract, but again who wants him?
With that said, I would imagine a combination of Liam Bischel and a young forward like Matej Blumel or Antonio Strangis, plus maybe a Matt Dumba to make the money work, even if they can get a third team involved to help eat some of the money. (I don’t believe that Nill would trade Stankoven or Borque in this deal, but who knows)
Seth Jones is statistically not much different than Morgan Rielly.
Biggest difference would likely be he is more physical. Is that worth an extra $2M a season?
He’s a 3-4 defenceman on a 1-2 defenceman’s salary. Would CHI retain $3M a season to make his cap hit and place in the line-up match?
It’s hard to tell where Jones’ game is because he plays the most minutes on arguably the NHL’s worst team. Against the other teams best. When CLB was competitive, he was thought of as a #1. He was definitely their #1.
The hardest players to evaluate are D men on crappy teams, at least according to Brian Burke.
He is a right shot, big D man who skates, plays PP and PK. I think somebody makes that deal. The off season makes more sense.
He screams Buffalo, and is exactly what they need. Can’t see him agreeing to go there though. But they are closer to being competitive than Chicago. But that has been true for a few years, and hasn’t happened.
Seth Jones forced his way out of Columbus. He now appears headed out of Chicago. He has five years left on a massive contract that pays more than he’s worth. He’s already 30 years old. Buyer beware. Even if the Hawks retain salary, I don’t see them getting a big haul in return.
Chicago is going to have to eat $2-3Mil of Jones’ current deal, if they have any hope of moving him. BUF could use him, but that means Byrum would have to go. Not sure I’d do that.
don’t the Hawks management think it’s time to keep their talented players around Bedard, so the team can improve quickly, especially before Bedard gets more expensive (with upcoming contracts)?
the Hagel trade (before Bedard) was a disaster for them, as well as bringing back retreads like Hall and Teurovainen and Bertuzzi. Think they need new management who will have a better idea how to accelerate the rebuild, and not waste Bedard’s prime years
Re; RD— Men
Looks like there’s some really good right d—Men becoming available before the trade deadline before, here are a Couple….
Seth Jones 30 years old $9.5 million,
If the Oilers wont to him, we would have to trade nurse back to get rid of nurses $9.3 million salary🤔
A better option would be Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders
They would have to trade
A first pick, A 2nd pick
A young Top defensive prospect like right d-man beau Akey to get him and and $3-$4.M Roster player to make it work…..🤔
Your thoughts……. ❓❓
There are reports out there that Dobson’s agent is going to want a comparable contract to Q Hughes this summer. I would think the Isles would want an absolute haul for Dobson, starting with a 1st, 2nd, and top prospect, maybe more.
The problem there, Brian, is his unique current situation. He’s a pending RFA this summer coming off a $4 mil cap hit … followed immediately by being a UFA the following season – which would change, of course, with a new longer-term deal this summer.
But the crux is, he and his agent know that as well , which is likely why his agent is looking at the Quinn Hughes deal now. And, by extension, any team getting him in a deal at the trade deadline would possibly face the same situation. So, finding a team willing to give up assets of any magnitude and ready to meet his demands right away will be really problematic, I would think.
I should have added that, compounding the issue is the fact that Dobson doesn’t currently have NM.NT clauses, and while he couldn’t refuse a destination, if he’s not fussy about re-signing there, any team dealing for him will naturally want to get that stuff understood before going ahead … and that could severely impact the potential market.
So, while Lamoriello might yet reap a major haul, it isn’t going to be a smooth road to the finish … and in no way guaranteed to bring back riches.
With how everything seems to be going in America right now, I am not sure I would bet on the salary cap going up as much as they think… things are about to get very real for a lot of people.
Yep your right there
By that time Canada may be the 51st state. So you’ll all be on the same boat with us ugly Americans.
😁
It’d be one Helluva BIG state … make Texas and Alaska look like Rhode Island. 🙂 lol.
Lmao, I’m glad you took that as jest. But if it were to happen, we’ll welcome you with open arms!
Well played Captain!
TheSaint, I think next years cap is based on this years revenue, so pretty much baked in.
But your point is valid IMO, just will take longer for the impacts to be truly felt. Except the equity and bond markets, those will react pretty quick. Which is why I think he won’t go through with the big tariffs everywhere, and if he does it won’t be for very long. A lot of the other domestic stuff is being litigated, and much of it won’t happen IMO.
But I’m guessing on what will impact his decisions as I don’t know. But there will be pressure from lots of industries to reverse course on the trade barrier stuff. Hoping it has an impact on his decision making.
Surreal more like it
Truth George!
Howard
There was at least 1 article I read about jones going to Colorado? I agree, not that crazy about him. Seen him play the Avalanche a lot with. Chicago on tv. A lot of gaffes on defense. Not saying all his fault but. He’s big and good offensively at times would rather they look elsewhere