The Blackhawks’ pursuit of a No. 1 defenseman has reportedly culminated Friday with the acquisition their No. 1 pursuit: Blue Jackets defenseman Seth Jones.
In a draft-day blockbuster, the Hawks acquired the 26-year-old Texan and will sign him next week to an eight-year, $76 million contract extension, per multiple reports. The trade and contract make Jones the centerpiece of the team’s defense in the post-Duncan Keith era.
To make it happen, however, Hawks general manager Stan Bowman surrendered a massive package of assets.
Adam Boqvist — the 20-year-old heralded for the past two years as the Hawks’ top defenseman-in-grooming — went to the Jackets alongside the 12th and 44th overall picks and next year’s first-round pick. The Hawks received the relatively insignificant 32nd and 165th picks along with Jones.
Bowman also committed a massive chunk of the Hawks’ future cap space — $9.5 million annually — to fit Jones.
The contract drastically reduces the Hawks’ financial flexibility not only now, when they have a relatively decent amount to work with, but also years down the line, when the situation could be far different. Jones will become the NHL’s third highest-paid defenseman.
It’s a gamble that may define Bowman’s post-Stanley Cup-era tenure as GM — if his possible involvement in the alleged 2010 sexual assault cover-up doesn’t end that tenure promptly — and determine whether or not the Hawks return to contention in the next decade.
Jones has established himself as one of the league’s most prominent defensemen over his eight seasons and counting, averaging more than 25 minutes per game each of the last three in Columbus.
He became a face of the otherwise obscure Jackets franchise after he was acquired from the Predators in 2016, finished fourth in Norris Trophy voting in 2018 and helped the Jackets win a playoff series for the first time ever in 2019.
But his results took a downward turn in 2021, both in terms of points — he tallied 28 in 56 games — and especially in his underlying numbers.
This story will be updated.
