Seth Jones sends shots to ex-management members of the Blackhawks

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Sam Walker
April 26, 2024 (11:19)

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Seth Jones Opens Up About Challenges with Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones, known for his prominent payroll in the NHL, recently voiced his dissatisfaction despite his lucrative salary.

During the 2023-24 season, Jones earned a substantial $12.5 million.

Jones finalized his current contract on July 23, 2021, following his trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets to the Blackhawks in a notable deal orchestrated by former general manager Stan Bowman.

However, Jones hinted that he might have made a different choice if given the opportunity to reconsider.

Upon joining the Blackhawks, Jones held optimism about the team's potential for success, envisioning a competitive season and perhaps even a playoff berth under Bowman's leadership. However, Bowman's departure on Oct. 26, 2021, amid the fallout from the Brad Aldrich scandal, reshaped the organization's trajectory.

Reflecting on his initial expectations, Jones candidly admitted:

"I'll be honest, if you could see into the future three months, you know in the position I was in, I don't know if... " Jones said. "This is a great organization, obviously, but I really didn't want to rebuild, you know, when I left Columbus.

He had anticipated joining a team with promising talent and a clear path to success, but unforeseen organizational changes disrupted those plans.

Jones underscored the frustration of striving for victory while facing internal challenges within the organization. Despite recognizing the efforts of the current Blackhawks management, led by Kyle Davidson and Norm McIver, Jones acknowledged the obstacles encountered over the past three years and expressed optimism for the team's resurgence.

"I was coming to a team that had a lot of great young players, that we were building towards something I felt like," he added. "I think a lot of things happened away from hockey in the organization that they kind of had to re-route and take a different approach."
"I think when you're my age or Nick's (Foligno) age you want to win. And it's frustrating when you want that and you don't know what to do about it."
"Listen, I respect what Kyle, Norm (associate GM Mciver) and everyone's doing in the organization," Jones said. "I think it's going to be a successful organization again and get where we want to be again.
"But yeah, it's definitely been a tough three years, as you probably know. You're watching it too, right?"

In his bold statement, Jones echoed the shared desire for success felt by himself and teammate Nick Foligno.