Being a number one defensemen in the NHL is a tough, tough gig. You are the last line of defense and perfection is almost demanded from you on every play. The Columbus Blue Jackets have never had a number one defensemen in their short history, until now.
Seth Jones is one of the most important pieces to ever be a part of the Blue Jackets. At 22 years old, a lot of the Blue Jackets’ hopes ride on his back. If that isn’t pressure, I don’t know what is. Seemingly, Jones may be up to the task of helping the Jackets get back to the postseason. He is in a small subset of players that can affect a game like no one else. Where else is there to go for him?
Jones was never supposed to be in this spot. He was supposed to be selected by the Colorado Avalanche with the first overall pick in the 2013 Draft and live a fairy tale playing for the man that introduced him the game, Joe Sakic. Jones ended up falling all of the way to the fourth spot, right into the Nashville Predators lap. The Predators have always had a glut of defensemen, much more than other teams in the league, and nabbing Jones at the time seemed almost unfair. After two good years with the Predators, the log jam was blocking the talented Jones from moving up in the lineup. A trade was likely and he was ultimately used as a trade chip to acquire a center.
The Johansen for Jones trade made sense on paper and it is working out in practice as well. The Jackets have a hole in their lineup by trading away a bona fide first line center. The Predators were missing a puck-moving right handed defensemen. As follow up moves to replace assets lost, the Predators ended up acquiring P.K. Subban and the Jackets drafted Pierre-Luc Dubois. The after effects of both trades are obviously going to shake both franchises for a while and the two will be compared until their careers end.
Jones is living up to his end of the bargain thus far by being a positive possession player relative to his teammates and he scored points in droves in his short time with the team. He is a number one defensemen and his new deal from this past summer is team friendly enough for Columbus to continually build up around him. At Buckeye State Hockey, we have written about his progress with Ryan Murray, a potential top pairing for the next ten years. This year will not only be critical for the team but for their pairing as Murray’s bridge contract will hopefully prove whether or not he is worth a long-term deal.
Future Outlook
Expect Jones to be the leading scorer on the back end for the next six years barring injuries. If all goes well and his development continues the way it has in the past, he could also be a perennial all-star too. As Jones goes, so goes the Blue Jackets, if they can emulate the kind of play he exhibits, don’t be surprised if the Jackets become a consistent playoff team.
No pressure, Seth.
Age: 22 (10/03/1994)
Position: Defenseman
Shoots: Right
Height / Weight: 6’ 4’’ / 207 lbs
2015-16 Team: Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)
Likely 2016-17 Destination: 1st pairing defenseman with Columbus (NHL)
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