I suspect KD would have to take back an equally bad contract. This demonstrates the importance of understanding the value of every player you have or want to deal for. Over or under valuing talent is a GM killer. So far in Davidson’s tenure he’s made one exceptional longer term signing by locking Vlasic up to a very team friendly contract.
- paulr

Thanks, Paul. In my New Year's hangover and general grogginess forgot this option. It's tough for this one because we have 5 more years. Reminds me of the Komisarek and Phaneuf contract situations although Jones is in better playing shape than they were at this point.

I wonder what it would take to unload Jones hypothetically. A 2nd and retention of 3M? Or would we have to throw in more? That 9.5 is an albatross of a contract. He's only at 4 games after coming back from the injury but they've been shellacked in every game since his return.
- Popsghostly

I would say he has some value if he likes his situation. He can eat minutes and make some good plays. At 6m per he's OK and can play on the second pairing and move up if needed. He's just totally checked out in CHI. So I think you can get a little return in a trade.

Jones to EDM with 3.5m retained.
2nd rounders in 2028 and 2029 back to CHI

If Stan wants CHI to take E. Kane or another bad contract, something more has to come back.

Hawks can also take back an equally bad contract. There's a lot of drama going on in Vancouver with a supposed feud between Petterson and Miller and the Canucks desperately need D. Probably have to add a couple of more good pieces to get Petey. He's been underwhelming since signing his big extension.

And the Rangers want to blow things up. Zib, Kreider and other names are being mentioned as expendable.

Unfortunately Jones has that NMC. Doubt if he will waive for the Canadian Pacific or the bright lights and press coverage in NY.

There are probably a couple of other examples out there where teams want to move some disgruntled overpaid players.
- boilermaker100

Weary of the Petterson deal given his contract is 2 more years and 2 million more than Jones. However if he could get his form back, man he's a stud. We'd have to throw in a lot more.

Miller is a closer match at 8M at the same expiration of Jones.

Given our turmoil and Jones' apparent desire to play for a winner, I'd still be willing to pull the trigger on either one of these if the cost isn't too great.

I would say he has some value if he likes his situation. He can eat minutes and make some good plays. At 6m per he's OK and can play on the second pairing and move up if needed. He's just totally checked out in CHI. So I think you can get a little return in a trade.

Jones to EDM with 3.5m retained.
2nd rounders in 2028 and 2029 back to CHI

If Stan wants CHI to take E. Kane or another bad contract, something more has to come back.
- totem

If EDM made that trade I think the fanbase would go after Stanbo like the Keith deal before his time. He does like the players that he acquired before though.

Sadly, the only scenario I can imagine with EDM is getting Nurse back. I think Jones is a better Dman.

I think S Jones was brought in to make sure we tank
- BetweenTheDots

Well, it is working.

Interesting report of a post-game no-show from #4.

https://www.bleachernatio...ks-new-years-day-bullets/

Interesting report of a post-game no-show from #4.

https://www.bleachernatio...ks-new-years-day-bullets/
- SC116

Not really surprised.

He shows you why he'll never wear the C because he doesn't know what it takes to win.

Even if they have to buy him out, the Blackhawks are a better off team without him even if he counts against the cap for the next 5 years around $8 mil

Jones might be struggling or seemingly checked out since he got back, but he is not the reason we are on a 5 game losing streak. Look no further than the absolute garbage goaltending we've gotten lately.

Over the last 5 games Mrazek Sv% is .779 and he has a GAA at 6.55. Soderblom is at least respectable but did give up a couple soft goals lately too. Over that losing streak he is at a .882 and 3.79 GAA. There isn't a team in the NHL that would be winning these games with the goaltending we are getting lately. I know some are deflections, traffic in front, or any number of things, but we watch goalies at the other end stop the puck and come up with big saves only to have it go back the other way, and our goalie gives up a goal way too easy. It not like we are always hanging them out to dry or being badly out chanced, it's a lot of stoppable pucks that are going in.

Interesting report of a post-game no-show from #4.

https://www.bleachernatio...ks-new-years-day-bullets/
- SC116

That's what caused me to start the Jones discussion today. Jones is in the Hotel California, he checked out a while ago but can't leave. KFC need to find him somewhere to go, and he should still have some trade value with retention.

Jones might be struggling or seemingly checked out since he got back, but he is not the reason we are on a 5 game losing streak. Look no further than the absolute garbage goaltending we've gotten lately.

Over the last 5 games Mrazek Sv% is .779 and he has a GAA at 6.55. Soderblom is at least respectable but did give up a couple soft goals lately too. Over that losing streak he is at a .882 and 3.79 GAA. There isn't a team in the NHL that would be winning these games with the goaltending we are getting lately. I know some are deflections, traffic in front, or any number of things, but we watch goalies at the other end stop the puck and come up with big saves only to have it go back the other way, and our goalie gives up a goal way too easy. It not like we are always hanging them out to dry or being badly out chanced, it's a lot of stoppable pucks that are going in.
- breadbag

I've noticed this too. We got by in close games earlier because of above average goaltending. Recently bad screens and missed assignments have also contributed to the blowouts. Overall sloppy play.

I still hate 4's stupid back pass for an alleged push em back PP zone entry - as it is soooooo slow and then also seems like a pretty deep pass -all it does is stack the PK defenders at their own blue line. Has no on the coaching staff figured out that all that ever really does is sap any forward momentum in the neutral zone? Because it sure looks like it while watching it.

Jones might be struggling or seemingly checked out since he got back, but he is not the reason we are on a 5 game losing streak. Look no further than the absolute garbage goaltending we've gotten lately.

Over the last 5 games Mrazek Sv% is .779 and he has a GAA at 6.55. Soderblom is at least respectable but did give up a couple soft goals lately too. Over that losing streak he is at a .882 and 3.79 GAA. There isn't a team in the NHL that would be winning these games with the goaltending we are getting lately. I know some are deflections, traffic in front, or any number of things, but we watch goalies at the other end stop the puck and come up with big saves only to have it go back the other way, and our goalie gives up a goal way too easy. It not like we are always hanging them out to dry or being badly out chanced, it's a lot of stoppable pucks that are going in.
- breadbag

I don't believe it's a coincidence that the team started playing like crap as soon as he came back. I've been just watching him when he's on the ice you talk about a guy going through the motions

Murphy isn't very good but at least he gives an honest effort

I wonder what it would take to unload Jones hypothetically. A 2nd and retention of 3M? Or would we have to throw in more? That 9.5 is an albatross of a contract. He's only at 4 games after coming back from the injury but they've been shellacked in every game since his return.
- Popsghostly

If the cap goes up as much as projected, the contract will not be an albatross. If Grier was able to trade Karlsson, and the Rangers found Anaheim to take Trouba, if Jones wants to go, KD should be able to move him, might get a used Zamboni back, but to say he is unmoveable is an excuse.

Or do what Guerin did with Parise and Suter and buy him out! Just think, you wouldn’t, have to coerce veterans by giving bloated contracts, or take cap dumps to fill out a roster,

Jones wanting out is not surprising or rare, just look for at Buffalo:

Eichel wanted out a year before his neck injury, in year 2 of a newly signed 8 year deal.
Reinhardt wanted out, didn,t want to go thru another rebuild

O,Reilly wanted out, was tired of losing.

All 3 won cups elsewhere.

This was a fear I had right from the get go. Tanking was telling the players new and old that losing was acceptable in the pursuit of high draft picks. Hopefully this isn’t the case and they can somehow instill a winning culture. But if The on ice product doesn’t improve next season it’s going to be (frank)ing ugly and that’s when knee jerk reaction moves tend to get made.
- paulr

And as I said earlier, KFC is on more shaky ground than any of you are giving credit.

This team is dangerously close to becoming non-relevant again, and Danny Wirtz does not have the patience for this rebuild to take several years, and thousands of fans walking away until they matter again.

KFC and his amateur scouting department have been good at identifying players, but their pro scouting, and decisions made to actually ice a professional team, are being scrutinized. And if the pro product does not improve dramatically, more heads are going to fall.

And as I said earlier, KFC is on more shaky ground than any of you are giving credit.

This team is dangerously close to becoming non-relevant again, and Danny Wirtz does not have the patience for this rebuild to take several years, and thousands of fans walking away until they matter again.

KFC and his amateur scouting department have been good at identifying players, but their pro scouting, and decisions made to actually ice a professional team, are being scrutinized. And if the pro product does not improve dramatically, more heads are going to fall.
- dahawks8819

Yeah OK, I’m guessing you’re an insider? I’ve played that game my man.

And as I said earlier, KFC is on more shaky ground than any of you are giving credit.

This team is dangerously close to becoming non-relevant again, and Danny Wirtz does not have the patience for this rebuild to take several years, and thousands of fans walking away until they matter again.

KFC and his amateur scouting department have been good at identifying players, but their pro scouting, and decisions made to actually ice a professional team, are being scrutinized. And if the pro product does not improve dramatically, more heads are going to fall.
- dahawks8819

How do you know? Bedard was a pretty easy pick. Nazar and KK are "incomplete" grades thus far. Having a highly ranked prospect pool doesn't get you much of anything.

Jones wanting out is not surprising or rare, just look for at Buffalo:

Eichel wanted out a year before his neck injury, in year 2 of a newly signed 8 year deal.
Reinhardt wanted out, didn,t want to go thru another rebuild

O,Reilly wanted out, was tired of losing.

All 3 won cups elsewhere.
- LAHawk

The only difference is Jones is not a difference maker. He just eats a lot of minutes.

Another thing this shows me 2 of the 3 forwards were drafted top 5? The other 1st pick of the 2nd round.

Blackhawks have the 1OA, 2OA, and this year? In line for 1OA. We do have a 7OA.

Florida won with 1OA, two 2OA, 4OA, 6OA,

I think after this draft its just going to take time. I look back at these top 5 picks and it seems those teams take at least 5 years to win a cup. Took 10 years for Barkov, Ekblad, Reinhart, and Bennett to raise the cup.

The only difference is Jones is not a difference maker. He just eats a lot of minutes.

Another thing this shows me 2 of the 3 forwards were drafted top 5? The other 1st pick of the 2nd round.

Blackhawks have the 1OA, 2OA, and this year? In line for 1OA. We do have a 7OA.

Florida won with 1OA, two 2OA, 4OA, 6OA,

I think after this draft its just going to take time. I look back at these top 5 picks and it seems those teams take at least 5 years to win a cup. Took 10 years for Barkov, Ekblad, Reinhart, and Bennett to raise the cup.
- BetweenTheDots

Toews and Kane won in year three (Keith and Seabrook 8 and 7 respectively). Cam Barker was a #3 OA. Bennett and Reinhart came from other teams.

There isn't one way to do it. It's rather simple (not easy, but simple). Identify good players and acquire them when available. Within that concept, you obviously have to take into consideration the cap, health, age, etc, but assuming that you can/will draft your team into a winner just isn't feasible because there are too many unknowns when drafting 18-20 year old kids.

Toews and Kane won in year three (Keith and Seabrook 8 and 7 respectively). Cam Barker was a #3 OA. Bennett and Reinhart came from other teams.

There isn't one way to do it. It's rather simple (not easy, but simple). Identify good players and acquire them when available. Within that concept, you obviously have to take into consideration the cap, health, age, etc, but assuming that you can/will draft your team into a winner just isn't feasible because there are too many unknowns when drafting 18-20 year old kids.
- Chunk

Do you trade for Elias Pettersson if the rumors are true.

I'd do it in a heartbeat if it got Seth Jones out of Chicago

Do you trade for Elias Pettersson if the rumors are true.

I'd do it in a heartbeat if it got Seth Jones out of Chicago
- BetweenTheDots

Are you willing to give up next years first overall for him, in addition to Jones you aren't getting Patterson for Jones straight up, even though they both have Brisson as an agent.

Toews and Kane won in year three (Keith and Seabrook 8 and 7 respectively). Cam Barker was a #3 OA. Bennett and Reinhart came from other teams.

There isn't one way to do it. It's rather simple (not easy, but simple). Identify good players and acquire them when available. Within that concept, you obviously have to take into consideration the cap, health, age, etc, but assuming that you can/will draft your team into a winner just isn't feasible because there are too many unknowns when drafting 18-20 year old kids.
- Chunk

I agree, now KD has to improve the team. I think he (frank)ed up last offseason. In hindsight his acquisitions were terrible. TT hasn’t shown much, Bertuzzi has had a few good games recently but overall has been below average. Martinez has played reasonably well when he’s healthy. And Brodie is obviously washed up. Luckily none hamstring the team contractually. I think KD has to improve the on ice product or risk ownership getting impatient and making rash decisions.

I think KD is on the right track overall but he’s got to start showing he can do more than dismantle, accumulate draft picks and draft players. He has to make trades that benefit the short and long term. He has to identify free agents that are difference makers not guys to fill out a roster. Then he has to correctly assess the value and term of each player. I suggest the easy part is behind him. The hard part has already begun.

Are you willing to give up next years first overall for him, in addition to Jones you aren't getting Patterson for Jones straight up, even though they both have Brisson as an agent.
- LAHawk

Sure, top 4 protected.

Are you willing to give up next years first overall for him, in addition to Jones you aren't getting Patterson for Jones straight up, even though they both have Brisson as an agent.
- LAHawk

Peterson is what he is skilled scoring forward who’s softer than a baby’s butt. Is that what Chicago needs? I’d prefer KD steers clear. It would cost Davidson a ton in picks and possibly high end prospects. And I don’t see the universe where another team takes on Jones without sending back and equally bad contract as well as taking on part of Jones’ contract.

Do you trade for Elias Pettersson if the rumors are true.

I'd do it in a heartbeat if it got Seth Jones out of Chicago
- BetweenTheDots

I would even if it didn't get Seth out of Chicago.

One of the biggest problems I see with the Hawks as currently constructed is that they have guys that know what they are supposed to do, but they no longer have the ability. Maroon, Foligno, Donato (to an extent), Hall (again to an extent), Brodie are all either too slow or no longer strong enough to do the things that made them good hockey players.

How many guys on this team can actually win a board battle and then do something with the puck. The Hawks get pushed off of so much possession it's not even funny. Then they end up trying to chase down better players from behind. This is why Spellacy is creating so much interest within the Hawks. He brings something few others in the pipeline do. Size, speed, and skill.

This is also why I don't have a lot of hope for Hayes in RFD right now. He could certainly work on it and get better, but he gets pushed off the puck too easy for my liking. Savoie, Slaggert, and Dach (most of the time) are the three best down there now. I've been a little surprised that Nazar hasn't been more effective with the Hawks because he was really assertive with the Hogs. He looks more tentative on the Hawks.