Evaluating the Seth Jones, Adam Boqvist Trade, One Season Later

PUBLICATION

Cameron
June 5, 2022 (3:04 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

During the 2021 offseason, the Blackhawks made a blockbuster trade and acquired defenseman, Seth Jones. The Hawks received Seth Jones, a 2021 first round pick, and a second round pick in the upcoming 2022 NHL draft. In exchange, the Blue Jackets received Adam Boqvist, a 2021 first round pick, and the Blackhawks sixth overall pick in this year's NHL draft. The Blackhawks would go on to sign Seth Jones to a massive eight year contract with a large salary cap hit of $9.5 million.

In his first year with the Hawks, Jones ended up having his second best season points wise. Jones finished the season with 51 points (5G/46A) in 78 games played. However, he also finished with a career worst +/- rating of -37. Ouch. Seth Jones' strength comes from his offensive capability and that was displayed this year. Quarterbacking the power play and being on the Blackhawks top D pairing line enabled Jones to put up points. On the other hand, his defense struggled. Often getting caught up too deep in the offensive zone and having to skate back to catch up to an odd man rush hurt his defense, but at the same time, the Hawks as a whole were not good defensively. With the first round pick acquired in the trade, the Hawks drafted defenseman Nolan Allan. Allan finished the season in the WHL with 41 points in 65 games and a -4 +/-. Not terrible. Perhaps he can be a future upside for the organization.

Adam Boqvist struggled to stay on the ice in Columbus as he only played in 52 games this season. Boqvist finished the season with 22 points (11G/11A) and a -11 +/- rating. On paper, those aren't the best numbers, but Boqvist is only 21 years old. Compare that to 21 year old Seth Jones who played in 81 games and picked up only 31 points (3G/28A) and a +/- of -14, Boqvist doesn't look half bad. Adam Boqvist very much still has lots of upside and very well could be another player that the Hawks wish they kept for the future. With the first round pick the Jackets they acquired from the Hawks in the 2021 draft, they would draft Cole Sillinger. Sillinger had a decent rookie season finishing with 31 points in 79 games. The Blue Jackets also have the sixth overall pick in this year's NHL draft where they could draft another NHL ready player.

The Jones/Boqvist trade will be a trade that leaves a sour taste in Hawks fan's mouths. It's hard to say exactly who won the trade, but in the long term picture the Blue Jackets probably won this trade. However, Seth Jones could prove to be a valuable asset to developing young Hawks defensemen. Perhaps even Nolan Allan turns out to be a decent future defenseman for the hawks. Only time will tell with this trade.