Seth Jones wants out of Columbus

[Statue4Deano]

He's a free agent in the summer of 2022 and according to a report from Elliotte Friedman he's ready to test free agency.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nh...oesnt-want-to-stay/ar-AAKxBFu?ocid=uxbndlbing

"Sometime within the last week or so, Seth Jones informed the Columbus Blue Jackets that he will not be re-signing,? Friedman said during a segment of TV broadcast. ?I?m saying, ?for now,? at this point, because I don?t like to deal in absolutes, but it does appear as if he is prepared to test free agency and we?ll see how Columbus decides to handle this over the next little while.?

Is he worth emptying the prospect cupboard for? Is he a great defender? No and no but he's exactly what the blueline needs. He's huge. He skates well. He puts up points and he's young. Exactly the type of young blueliner Doughty could pass the torch to in a few years.

Blake needs to kick the tires on this and if it means parting with a couple young forwards (not named Byfield) so be it.

 

[Dr. Tran]

It depends on what we give up but yes, absolutely we should look into getting him.

 

[Greg33]

If you were Columbus?

Wait until the next deadline, unless someone wants to overpay right now.

 

[jammer06]

Cbus gonna need to hire a coach first

 

[Trapper9]

If you give up a bunch of prospects and can't resign him, It's an Andrej Sekura plus situation.
extendinding him is going to be 8-9 million per.

 

[santiclaws]

If you were Columbus?

Wait until the next deadline, unless someone wants to overpay right now.

If they think he's not go to re-sign, they'd get a LOT more now with him still under contract for a full year. So unless they think he will change his mind or they have a good shot of him returning after he becomes a UFA, I absolutely look to move him now. I'd kick the tires if I was the Kings, but I think he'll cost way too much, and he'd have to commit to re-signing, and he'll want at least $8M on a long-term deal. I think it's pretty damn unlikely he gets traded here.

 

[jom]

I'd certainly look into this...but it depends on what CBUS wants.

Overall, I'd rather have the D-man (Jones) than a center (Eichel). But I still wouldn't move Byfield for him....

jom

 

[Ice24]

So trade for him and then he can test FA next summer. The Kings have plenty of players they can get rid of.

 

[05/29/93]

Before the Kings even think about a trade like this, Jones would have to agree an extension. A cup contender (which the Kings are no where near) could trade for him as a 1-year rental.

 

[santiclaws]

So trade for him and then he can test FA next summer. The Kings have plenty of players they can get rid of.

"Get rid of"?? You do understand that it would take some of the Kings' top prospects to get him, not some fourth liners? Two of Turcotte, Kupari, Vilardi, Kaliyev would almost certainly have to go. That's a steep price for a one-year rental for a team that doesn't need a one-year rental.

 

[Helvetica]

hasn't his play been rather poor the last couple seasons too? I cant see the Kings giving up assets for a potential single season.

 

[jammer06]

Can't wait til he ends up as a Shark. This is the kind of thing I can see Wilson pulling off.

 

[Trapper9]

hasn't his play been rather poor the last couple seasons too? I cant see the Kings giving up assets for a potential single season.

His numbers this past year, 5G 23A 28 pts -18 for 5.4 million dollars
Sean Walker 5G 13A 13 pts -13 for 2.65 million

 

[aaron]

This shouldn't be news. Every player who has any long term value should go to free agency. Re-signing early to a bad team is for the over 30 crowd. Ask the likes of Eichel and McDavid if they should have gone to FA.

 

[hokiecat]

This shouldn't be news. Every player who has any long term value should go to free agency. Re-signing early to a bad team is for the over 30 crowd. Ask the likes of Eichel and McDavid if they should have gone to FA.

^^This. Only a contender should go after Jones and they'll overpay and probably regret it. The Kings shouldn't even bother kicking the tires. He's not likely to sign here. We're still too early in the rebuild.

 

[LAKingSteve]

Stay away Kings. Please.

 

[Statue4Deano]

His numbers this past year, 5G 23A 28 pts -18 for 5.4 million dollars
Sean Walker 5G 13A 13 pts -13 for 2.65 million

Might want to take a macro view of Jones career. He's made an All Star team and had four seasons with Norris votes. He's also the same age as Sean Walker.

 

[Trapper9]

But I was responding to, has his play been poor the last 2 years. The answer is yes.

 

[salami]

If you were Columbus?

Wait until the next deadline, unless someone wants to overpay right now.

I think Kekalainen is still reeling over losing Panarin and Bobrovsky for nothing. I don't see him risking losing Jones to free agency. If Jones truly wants out and Jaarmo is willing to let him go, I suspect he'll get traded in a non-deadline deal...more of what the pundits call "a hockey trade". Just my opinion, after learning to loathe Jaarmo as a GM.

 

[salami]

^^This. Only a contender should go after Jones and they'll overpay and probably regret it. The Kings shouldn't even bother kicking the tires. He's not likely to sign here. We're still too early in the rebuild.

I agree he'll probably go UFA. So if that's the case, perhaps he's the big UFA splash that Blake sees as a catalyst. I'd suspect Blake's looking at the potential UFA lists for 2022-2024, so it seems plausible enough for some summer conversation.

I agree with the OP that he's just the type of player the Kings need, and it would be a great sign if our team is in a position to start looking at high talent UFAs next year.

My prediction (if he is going to land in LA): An extension would likely already be worked out prior to the Kings giving up assets for him, or he signs as a UFA next summer. Either way, he's a very dynamic defenseman, and if that's what Blake is looking for, he's kind of a prototype in that regard.