The 29-year-old Defenseman is heading into his fourth year with Chicago next month
By Anthony Pellegrino @apelle50 IceInsider.com Founder/Owner
BOSTON--The Blackhawks blue line has always been filled with greats. Through the 2010's dynasty, fans remember the Keith-Seabrook-Hjalmarsson lineup. One of the best defensive lineups of the salary cap era. Years later, a youth core surrounded by 11-year NHL veteran, Seth Jones.
Jones has spent the past three seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks. While he came to Chicago expecting an accelerated rebuild, plans changed within organization. At the time, former GM Stan Bowman acquired Jones in a trade from Columbus. Shortly after, signing an eight-year, 9.5 Million AAV contract, to stick with Chicago long term. At the hopes, of contending for the Stanley Cup.
This October, Jones will be alongside veterans TJ Brodie, Alec Martinez, and Connor Murphy to mentor the up-and-coming youth Blackhawks defensive core. While it's not what Jones expected, it could pan out in the long run if the rebuild continues as planned.
Seth Jones had 8 goals, and 23 assists for 31 points in 67 games with the Blackhawks, during the 2023-2024 season. Just under a point every two games, Jones was the highest defensive producer for the season.
Four seasons ago, you came to Chicago under the impression you were competing for a Stanley Cup. At the time notable players like Patrick Kane, Alex Debrincat, and former captain Jonathan Toews were still on the roster. Looking back, do you believe you would've still come to Chicago if you knew you would be in for a roughly five-year-long rebuild?
"I'm going to be honest. (You know), I was 27 years-old at the time; and I told Columbus, (I loved Columbus. Everything about it. The way of life, the building, the fans. I told them I wanted to go to a bigger market. To compete for a Stanley Cup....If I knew what I know now...
Probably not. To be honest with you...I love Chicago. I love everything about it. The (United Center) is the best building in the NHL (that's part of) the reason that I went there. Like you said the young players we had, even Hagel. A couple other guys. (You know) A lot of things happen in an organazation (that first year that we're not going to bring up, but that changed kind of the course. But we got a new GM, new coach now. Things of that nature. Things change; definitley quickly in our leauge. But I'm on board now with what's going on. We got Connor (Bedard) and a lot of good players this summer as well. So we're ready to compete and take that next step this year."
Let's talk about your current role with the team. How has that role changed since signing with Chicago, and how have you managed to adapt into this (newer) role that you now play?
"When I came to Chicago. (Like you said) We had a lot of young pieces. But I still thought of myself as a great player, one of the best players on the team and that's what I wanted to do for Chicago. A great two-way defenseman; that can play on both sides of the puck. Some power-play time, some penalty-kill time. Play in all situations and, I don't think that's changed at all. I think that (if anything), I've had to put more pressure on myself offensivley. I need to score more goals, I need to be in double-digit goals every year. I need to do the little things like that. Score a couple more goals on the power-play. Help in some of those situations. (Just because) we are young...
And we kind of gave away a lot of our skill." (Referencing past trades).
So you and Nick Foligno have some history. You spent six seasons with him back in Columbus. How can you credit the relationship with him to help you become the mentor you are today for the young, defensive squad?
When I went to Columbus, Nick was the captain there. I was 21 years-old (at the time). One of the best leaders I know. One of the best people I know. That's the most important when you talk about how genuine a person is away from the rink. How he connects to you personally. He was always inviting young guys over to his place. (Whether) it was pizza night, or anything of that nature during the season. But he's been a great leader. I loved when we signed him. I know (him and Kyle Davidson) have history there in Sudbury (Wolves, OHL) in the past. So we signed him, I called him right away. I was super happy he could help me in this situation; and we could navigate this situation together."
Leading into the 2024-2025 campaign, how do you hope that the team reforms from the past few seasons in a rebuild spot? (Guys like) Vlassic, and Kurashev had breakout seasons. Bedard obviously, a year of NHL experience under his belt. Will that push the team to compete for a playoff spot?
"That's the goal. My goal, I know that's every guys goal on the team. (Like you said) we got a lot of new pieces, a lot of guys like you mentioned, that took a step last year. That are going to be NHL players; NHL talent. That are going to understand the schedule now. (A year) after their rookie seasons. Kurashev had a great year, great offensivley. Then I was partnered with Vlassic for 90 percent of the year last year."
Yeah, how was that? The fans wanted to know, how is it (playing with) Alex Vlassic.
He's a special player. Special player. He's super rangey, super tall. He can skate (like the) wind. Then you see his offensive side really start to come into play a little bit more at the second half of the season. He made the U.S. World Championships team this year too. I know he's going to take the next step. So we're happy that he signed that extension with us (Chicago) he's a big part of our team."
Your workload, averaging around 25 minutes of ice time per game last season. (Fourth among defenseman), are you anticipating to handle a similar workload next season?
"(I am) anticipating to handle it. I train in the offseason, very hard to be able to handle workloads like that. Right from game one. It's not easy. I think it takes a lot of work. The mentality of picking your spots. (That's something) that i've struggled with, since this whole rebuild in Chicago. Is not trying to jump in the play every shift. Especially as an offensive-defenseman. You always want to help, and get in the play. Sometimes you can get burned that way. So trusting everybody in every situation. Just playing my game. When I see a time to jump, then jump. Sometimes though you have to be defensive. Manage those gaps."
You're a premier defenseman in the leauge. How about goal scorers? Who do you view as the most challenging offensive threat(s) to defend against?
"You can't go wrong with...it's hard not to say 97 (Connor Mcdavid). The versitility, the different ways he can beat you. (He can) beat you with speed, with creitivity. The vision. Then he puts it all together to create one of the best players we've ever seen. Nathan Mackinnon can beat you with speed, power. Raw power; Matthews (Auston) don't leave him in the slot because it's probably in the net. (Unless) he misses his own shot. So there's a plethera of diffrerent players. Then (you got) a guy like Pastranak who...(you take) a penalty, theres a good chance he's scoring on the power-play. So there's a bunch."
Next season is coming quick. What makes you most excited for it? Is it the fact that you can see the light at the end of the tunnel with the rebuild or more so, watching the youth of today in guys like Bedard and Vlasic grow into the NHL's stars of tomorrow?
"I think a little bit of both. (You know) I'll be 30 years-old next month, and seeing those guys when they're 20...21...22 years-old come in the leauge and trying to help them if they have questions for me or anything like that. But then (at the same time) I've only been to the second round once in my career. So my main goal is to win. At all costs. That's my goal, I know (there are) levels to that. You don't just go from the bottom to the top. But we want to learn, we want to grow every year. To continue to get better.
The Blackhawks begin the regular season against the inaugural Utah HC on October 8th. Secure tickets today at ticketmaster.com/event/Z7r9jZ1A7udxp?landing=c
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