Flames Should Consider Targeting Blackhawks’ Seth Jones for the Right Price – The Hockey Writers Calgary Flames Latest News, Analysis & More

The Calgary Flames are in a weird position currently. They are outside of a playoff spot but are just outside with a decent chance of sneaking into one of the last wild card spots, but their low expectations coming into the season are catching up to them and it seems they still may follow their original plan of continuing a retool and selling at the 2025 Trade Deadline.

However, according to PuckPedia, they will have just over $80.3 million in cap space at the deadline, and they should be looking to utilize some of that money in hopes of finding their way back to the postseason after missing last season. They have a strong enough team to put up a fight in a seven-game playoff series, but they aren’t nearly strong enough to be considered true contenders.

Related: Players Don’t Want to Join Calgary Flames Based on Recent Survey

One player that has recently become available, according to a recent report, is Chicago Blackhawks’ defender Seth Jones. Jones, who is 30 years old, is in the third season of his eight-year contract that has a $9.5 million cap hit. Now, his defensive consistency is an issue and he may have one of the worst contracts in the NHL. However, if the Blackhawks find a way to retain some of Jones’ money for the remainder of his contract, it’s something the Flames should consider inquiring about.

NEW: Seth Jones says he’s talking with the Blackhawks about the possibility of a trade.

“I would like to give myself a chance to win in my career. I know that the money is not an easy thing to move, and that’s what we’re figuring out.”

Full story: https://t.co/p9tFU5e6QU

— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) February 19, 2025

The Flames’ biggest weakness has been their defensive depth this season, and Jones could act as a veteran who provides strength as a puck-moving defender. As he mentioned, his cap hit is incredibly tough to move and will be the biggest obstacle in any trade, but considering how much free money the Flames have heading into the trade deadline, it should be a no-brainer for them to see what the asking price is.

Realistically, they would probably want to get one of their large contracts off the books if they’re going to bring in Jones. That could mean trying to move Nazem Kadri or Blake Coleman to even out the money a little bit. There is also a possibility that the Blackhawks would be open to attaching a prospect or a draft pick to sweeten any deal that sends him away in a trade, and with the direction the Flames are going, that’s something they should be all over. Jones’ offensive game is strong but his defensive game is not, but for the right price, he is a defender that many teams would have interest in if retention is included, and the Flames should work some magic to make that happen.

Jones’ Defensive Game an Issue, Potential Trade a Bit Tough to Pull Off

Jones’ defensive inconsistency is what has some Blackhawks fans begging for him to be traded. He is still a good player who has value as an offensive-minded player on the blueline, but with his cap hit being as high as it is, fans were hoping they would get more at both ends of the ice, not just one.

Seth Jones is reportedly working with the Hawks to facilitate a potential trade. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/JRYjMhBu3m

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) February 19, 2025

A trade between the two teams could be extremely complicated. I would assume the Blackhawks try to figure out a way to get $1.5 million retained dropping his cap hit to $8 million annually, which is a bit more reasonable. Assuming that’s what gets retained, I would predict a trade between the two looks like the Flames acquiring Jones, a 2025 second-round pick, a 2026 second-round pick, and a 2025 fourth-round pick in exchange for Blake Coleman, a 2026 fifth-round pick, and a 2027 third-round pick. Coleman has a 10-team no-trade list and would have to approve a trade to the Blackhawks, but if they can move past that obstacle, a deal could be struck.

The Blackhawks have two second-round picks in 2025, three second-round picks in 2026, and two fourth-round picks in 2025 which makes attaching those picks to get rid of Jones reasonable. They may have to find a third team to take on some money for a while and pay them to do so, but that shouldn’t be too much of an issue. The only reason I put Coleman as an option for a trade is because I assume the Flames would want to exchange another player with term so they don’t just keep piling on long-term contracts. Moving one out and bringing in draft capital is never a bad idea, either.

Either way, it seems like Jones’ time as a member of the Blackhawks is coming to an end. He likely won’t be part of their rebuild for much longer as he seeks a new home and a fresh start, while the Blackhawks look to free up some cap space and replace him with one of the younger defenders they have coming up through their strong prospect pool.

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