Seth Jones is a Hawk, Hjalmarsson calls it a career, plus some rumors ahead of free agency

The Hawks have their new #1 defenseman, while an absolute warrior calls it a career

Seth Jones is a Blackhawk

The Blackhawks interest in Seth Jones was one of the worst kept secrets in hockey. The teams have been flirting every since Jones told Columbus he didn’t intend to sign after next season. Friday, the deal got done. The Blackhawks traded defenseman Adam Boqvist, the 12th (11th after the forfeited Arizona pick), a 2nd round pick and a 2022 first round pick to Columbus for Seth Jones and the 32nd pick. This Wednesday, the Blackhawks will make Jones’ 8-year, $76 million extension.

Let’s start with the pieces needed to get to the deal before we break down what Jones brings to the Chicago blue line.

According to several reports, Jones was willing to sign long term with three teams…Chicago, Dallas, Colorado. Colorado was willing to pay Jones for the last year of his current contract, but wouldn’t be able to do sign him long-term. Dallas wasn’t willing to pay more than they pay in Miro Heiskanen’s $8.540 million annual deal. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman says Dallas was never close.

So, in theory, Stan Bowman was bidding against himself. I feel like Bovist and a swap of firsts could have gotten it done. If not, Boqvist, a swap or firsts and a second should CERTAINLY have been enough. Instead, they threw in a 2022 first round pick. Further, Jones’ $9.5 million cap hit is at least $1 million too much for me. We’ll see what Dougie Hamilton brings in as the top UFA on the market. If it’s less than what the Hawks are paying Jones, it’s not a great look for Bowman.

Regardless, Seth Jones is a Blackhawk and Chicago has something they haven’t had in some time…a #1 defenseman.

I reached out to a few sources about Jones’ 2021 season. One source in particular pointed out that Jones’ partner, Zach Werenski, was dealing with a sports hernia, which slowed him down significantly. If your partner is slowed down, so are you. Once Columbus waived the white towel at the deadline, Werenski shut it down and got surgery.

I think the stories of Jones’ decline are overblown. The analytics people REALLY don’t like him, but the people who are paid to watch hockey (former coaches, players, etc) REALLY like Jones. He was in the Norris Trophy conversation before last season began. Yes, 2021 was a down year for him, but to think that’s the trend is a bit foolish.

Jones is the total package. He can play in all three zones at all strengths. He can score. He can defend. He’s physical. Here’s what Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand thinks of Jones.

“Seth Jones is really difficult to play against. He’s very fast. he’s tall . He covers a lot of space. He’s not overly physical, but he creates enough contact to separate you from the puck. He’s very skilled and talented. He can skate right by you on the forecheck. He’s got the patience to look you off, and he’s really good on the offensive blue line. I really like Seth Jones’ game. I think he’s a great player.”

Whether or not Jones lives up to his $9.5 million deal remains to be seen, but the Blackhawks are a better team today than they were Thursday.

Hjalmarsson calls it a career

Warrior. Bad-ass. Underappreciated. Whatever you want to say about Niklas Hjalmarsson, chances are you’d be right. Sunday, reports circled that the former Blackhawk is calling it a career, so I wanted to take the chance to praise him like I should.

Since the news has broken, several analytics sites, like JFresh Hockey and Evolving Hockey have called Hjalmarsson the best pure defender in the analytics era. Read that again. The BEST pure defender in the analytics era.

It was an honor to watch Hjalmarsson play in Chicago. I’m not sure they win a Cup without him. It’s a shame it’s taken this long for him to get his due, but I’m glad it’s finally happening.

That said…

I was as enraged as any Blackhawks fan when they traded Hjalmarsson to Arizona for Connor Murphy in the summer of 2017. A beloved player was gone for a kid most of us hadn’t really noticed much, but since the trade, it’s pretty clear the Hawks got the better end of the deal. Not listed there is blocked shots, which is what Hjalmarsson will (and should) be remembered for. Since the trade: Hjalmarsson had 419 blocked shots in 196 games (2.1 per game), Murphy had 453 in 236 games (1.9 per game). Long story short, Connor Murphy may be as underappreciated as Hjalmarsson was in his time here.

Some pre-free agency rumors

The Hawks have until Monday night to qualify their restricted free agents. That includes Pius Suter. A source tells me that Suter’s camp is asking for more money than the Blackhawks are comfortable paying. When you look at the surplus of middle six forward the Blackhawks have, they might be better trading him or letting him walk than paying him upwards of $3 million dollars.

UPDATE: The Blackhawks did NOT tender Suter, David Kampf, Josh Dickinson or Adam Gaudette. They did, however, sign Gaudette to a one-year deal that carries at $997,500 cap hit. If they can’t reach a deal with the others by Wednesday, they will become unrestricted free agents.

I also asked a source to rank the Hawks priorities entering free agency, which begins on Wednesday. They said “D and goalie.” Not a surprise, but now it’s confirmed.

Also, don’t expect the Hawks to make a move for Ryan Suter. I’m told there is no interest on that front.

Shameless plug

Don’t forget to listen to the latest episode of the Madhouse Podcast, where James Neveau and I break down the Jones trade and the first round selection of Nolan Allan, including some insight from Ryan Wagman or McKeen’s Hockey.