Last week, we opened up the first trade deadline rumors around the Blackhawks despite the deadline being nearly two months away. Reports indicate that the busiest time for trades across the league could be in mid-February during the Four Nations Face-Off break, so GMs are already doing their homework. Last week, Taylor Hall and Ryan Donato were the first names to be listed as trade candidates by the Athletic and the Daily Faceoff, but that was all speculation until Thursday.
Ahead of what figures to be a busy trade deadline, teams are already calling the Blackhawks about two of their biggest names. Reports are trickling in that Chicago is receiving calls on both Seth Jones and Lukas Reichel.
Seth Jones
Was the caller inquiring about Seth Jones a prank caller? Maybe. All jokes aside, Jones continues to retain his status as one of the worst players on the ice on a nightly basis, displaying seemingly minimal effort despite wearing the “A” for Chicago. He’s still the last guy on the ice and the first guy off it during practice and has refused to speak to the media multiple times in the past month.
For all the trouble he’s caused the Blackhawks this year, Jones might still hold a lot of value. The biggest obstacle will be his $9.5 million AAV contract, which he’ll play on until 2030. But he’s an RHD who skates nearly 25 minutes per night, and those don’t just grow on trees. And that’s apparently enough for teams to at least sniff around.
“I mean, that name is a surprise to me but again let’s not play with semantics here. It’s not like Kyle Davidson and the Chicago Blackhawks are shopping the defenseman. I mean, he’s got a pile of years left at $9.5 million AAV. His contract doesn’t expire until 2029-30 and he has the full no-move clause across the board. But look, he’s a quality defenseman. And yes, teams are calling and they’re asking about Seth Jones’ availability. So it’s going to be something that we have to continue to watch as Kyle Davidson, again, puts some form of stamp in this fight through the rebuild of the Chicago Blackhawks.”
– Darren Dreger, Insider Trading
If the Blackhawks can get anything in return for Jones, or even get rid of him without hanging onto too much of the cost, I’d be all for it. He’s become a detriment to the team both on the ice and off it, and Chicago has several more effective players waiting in the wings. The Blackhawks might have to retain a bit of value, but a pure cap-dump situation doesn’t sound too bad.
Lukas Reichel
As another of the more popular names listed on the trade market, Reichel has had an interesting season. The 22-year-old has a ton of upside, with all the skating talent in the world and an improving all-around game. However, despite both of the Blackhawks’ head coaches and GM Kyle Davidson practically begging him to shoot the puck, he only registered 10 shots on goal in 13 games in December, and has just one in four games in January. He’s been moved all over Chicago’s lineup, and nothing seems to be working. Frank Seravalli reported on CHSN before Thursday’s game that another team may be able to get a bit more out of him.
“I think that leaves some teams wondering if there’s something else that might be there. Nothing imminent on that front, but I do believe the Hawks started to receive some calls on Reichel’s availability.”
— Frank Seravalli
I have little doubt that Reichel could succeed elsewhere if he’s given the right opportunity, but it would be tough to see him go. The young forward has another year left at $1.2 million AAV, so it wouldn’t hurt the Blackhawks to keep him. His stock is at an all-time low, so it’s unclear what type of return Chicago could get – certainly not what he’s worth. I’d rather see some of the more veteran players, like Taylor Hall and Pat Maroon, be shipped off first.
Bowman couldn’t have sabotaged the team more than when he signed Jones to the most ridiculous contract in probably team history.