Looks like the General Manager, Stan Bowman of the Blackhawks, took some tactics out of the same book as other GM’S working the Chicago Sports landscape in his latest trade. These tactics I would not recommend. Blackhawks land defense-man Seth Jones from the Columbus Blue Jackets for a hefty price. Bowman sent the Blue Jackets young defense-man Adam Bogvist. Bowman took a page out of the Chicago Bears playbook and unloaded draft picks like confetti at a parade down Michigan avenue. Bowman way over-paid for Seth Jones throwing away two first round picks with a second round draft pick. Bowman also landed Seth Jones’ brother Caleb in a trade that sent Duncan Keith to the Edmonton Oilers. Sounds like GM White Sox Rick Hahn’s method of madness. Signing Manny Machado’s inner circle to land the slugger and bring him to Chicago which did not happen. However Bowman got his guy and now the Blackhawks have the Jones brothers. The icing on the cake is Stan, who aint the Man in Chicago anymore, had given Seth Jones an 8 year extension on his contract which will be worth a few of those Brinks trucks.
How long did it take the Blackhawks to get out of their salary cap issue.? Brent Seabrook and Andrew Shaw had to walk away from the game due to injuries. Cory Crawford retired. Duncan Keith may have been squeezed out of the organization as he wanted to be closer to home. Sure sounds close to the old school excuse my dog ate my homework, when it comes to sports. Patrick Kane is still a super star and deserves to be paid what he gets. Jonathan Toews missed the entire season last year from an undisclosed illness and will still get paid. Seth Jones has not played one game wearing the Indian head sweater and the Blackhawks pay him like some kind of ransom.
Blackhawks giving up on the kids too fast. Adam Bogvist, a young defense-men from Sweden, is only 20 years old and has two seasons under his belt in the NHL. Last season, Bogvist had 2 goals and 14 assists in 35 games for the Blackhawks which is good for 16 points. His first season Bogvist played in 41 games and 4 goals and 9 assists which is good for 13 points. It takes time to learn the the speed of the NHL as Bogvist is from Europe. Bogvist was learning, making adjustments, and getting better. My prediction is you just watch & Bogvist will be anchoring one of those defense positions for years to come in Columbus. For years, Blackhawks had to wave goodbye to many young players like Artemi Panarin because of salary cap issues & not being able to pay them. During those Stanley Cups the Blackhawks won, tough decisions were made over and over. Since that last cup, the Blackhawks have hit skid row. The Blackhawks finally with some money to spend and they are putting all their eggs in one basket with Seth Jones. Look at teams like the Kings and the Sharks paying big money for a defense-men. Sharks paying Erik Karlsson a king’s ransom and they did not make the playoffs. Same goes for the Kings with Drew Doughty.
Seth Jones I know is only 27 years old. You can say that Jones had not hit his prime yet. Jones has 8 years already logged in the NHL. Jones at one time was one of the best defense-men in the NHL. Can you still say that now? That was three seasons ago when Seth Jones had one of his monster years. It was the 2018-19 season where Jones had 46 points and tallied nine goals with 37 assists. The year before, Jones was even better with 57 total points which he had 16 goals and 41 assists. Since 2018-19, Jones’ numbers have been on a steady decline. I know for defense-men in hockey, it is not just about goals and assists when it comes to being that guard dog by the net. If Jones is going to be my highest paid player in a few years, I want goals. I want him dishing out assists. I want my my cake and ice cream. I do not like the long term deal of 8 years either. These contracts never get finished and always come back to haunt the team. Plus, what about the young players on the rise that need some extra scratch in their bank accounts? Kirby Dach and Dominic Kubalik are due for extensions. Alex DeBrincat will be due for a contract extension after this upcoming season is played out. I see the Seth Jones move as “Hey, we are back in the post season.” I do not see this signing with the big money as the Blackhawks have created another dynasty and will win three more Stanley Cups. Those Dach’s, you need a Kubalic, a great goalie, DeBrincat, and other young players with some good role players to win at least one cup. If the Blackhawks have to trade these guys and not get what they should get back in draft capital or a quality player, this franchise will not land on their feet. The Seth Jones deal will be the one signing they got torpedoed by. Stan Bowman, be aware your nine lives are running out. It seems like you also used all your life lines as well.
The Wild shamrock 