32 Teams, 32 Players: Seth Jones (and some bonus Jeremy Swayman talk)

We continue to get you ready for the start of the 2024-25 NHL season with a look at Seth Jones of the Chicago Blackhawks, and some drama with the Boston Bruins.

We are inching our way toward the start of the 2024-25 NHL season, and as we get closer we are going to highlight one player on each team that stands out for the season. What kind of player? Well, a player that could make a difference, be an X-factor, be on the verge of a breakout, or just simply be a player under the microscope and needing to have a big season.

Basically — which player do I think is the most fascinating on each team.

We are not going in any particularly order and continue today with Seth Jones of the Chicago Blackhawks.

We also have some quick thoughts on the situation unfolding between the Boston Bruins and starting goalie Jeremy Swayman.

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The easy thing when talking about the Chicago Blackhawks this season would be to focus on Connor Bedard because, well, he is their best player. He is their best player, he is the cornerstone of the franchise, and he is well on his way toward becoming one of the best players in the NHL. His potential? Through the damn roof. The type of player that immediately changes the timeline of a rebuild and gives fans hope.

But we already know that.

We will have plenty of time to talk about him this season and in future seasons.

The guy in Chicago that fascinates me this season is defenseman Seth Jones, simply because I feel like his career arc here (and elsewhere) has been very misunderstood and maybe even mis-evaluated.

Including by me.

When the Blackhawks initially acquired him prior to the 2021-22 season, and then signed to a bonkers eight-year contract by former general manager Stan Bowman, it seemed like a completely nonsensical move across the board. Jones was coming off a dreadful season in Columbus. Chicago paid a huge price in terms of young assets and draft picks to get him at a time where they probably should have been collecting those assets. It was the type of move a team on the verge of a rebuild should have been actively avoiding.

The criticisms at the time were completely valid and warranted (and I was right there making them), especially as the contract looked like an albatross.

While the contract still may not be great, I think all of those factors made it easy to dismiss him as a player.

But here is the thing: I am not sure he is a bad player or that his contract is all that terrible. Especially for the Blackhawks.

Let’s talk about it.