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BREAKING: Jones Blockbuster; Jackets Move Up and Results |
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The Columbus Blue Jackets may have three first round draft picks, but the franchise has dealt defenseman Seth Jones to the Chicago Blackhawks in a blockbuster move. Jones was moved with the Tampa Bay Lightning's first round pick (#32 overall) as well as a sixth round selection in the 2022 draft in exchange for defenseman Adam Boqvist; the 12th overall pick; a conditional first round draft pick in 2022; and a second round pick (#44 overall). To add even more intrigue; the 44th pick was flipped to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for defenseman Jake Bean.
Jones told the club early in May that he was not planning on returning to the team, as the direction and his future deferred in the long-term, and with that, he gets his massive payday. Per Darren Dreger of TSN, Jones is expected to sign an 8 year, $76M dollar contract on July 28, 2021. Jones was set to be an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2022. Seth joins his brother Caleb, who was acquired last week by the Hawks from the Edmonton Oilers for defender Duncan Keith. The former Winterhawk becomes the top defender on the Blackhawks now and for the next eight years. Many think $9.5M is an over-payment for Seth, but considering his underpayment in Columbus, he has proven himself in the Buckeye State over his tenure.
Adam Boqvist
Boqvist was the eighth overall selection by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. The Swedish defender sits at just the age of 20, with a $894K cap hit for the Jackets, being in the final year of his entry-level contract. In 76 career games with Chicago, he scored 29 points (6 goals, 23 assists). In 8 playoff games, he was held off the board during the playoff bubble.
Jake Bean
Bean was drafted 13th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. At 23, the Calgary native is a pending RFA without arbitration rights, as he just completed his entry-level contact. In 44 career games with the Hurricanes, he has scored one goal and 11 assists, good for 12 points. In the 2021 playoffs, he scored one goal in 11 games.
From March to October 2021, the Jackets went from Zach Werenski, Seth Jones, and David Savard to Werenski, Boqvist, and Bean as the top 3 defenders in Los Angeles. It shows the youth movement in Columbus, and Carlsson can also emerge into making this a solid top four in the NHL. They will be lots of speed, but defensive lapses early in the years of this quartet, but the success will follow for them in trusting this process.
#5 - C Kent Johnson (Michigan - NCAA)
2020-21: 28 games, 9G, 18A
Johnson was one of four players selected in the top 5 in the 2021 NHL Entry draft. The young center is behind Matthew Beniers (SEA) in the Michigan depth chart, but they are looking to compete and win a National title in the NCAA. In most rankings, he was a top ten selection, not a top 5. This is the second year in a row where Columbus is picking a first round pick that is off the board with respect to their selection. This can either pay off, or hurt the long-term development of the team.
Potential: Top 6 Center
#12 (from Chicago) - C Cole Sillinger (Medicine Hat Tigers - WHL)
Sillinger is the son of former longtime NHLer Mike Sillinger. Cole played in the USHL this past season due to COVID-19 cancellation of the WHL. His time in the Dub will help his career as well as Columbus, so he doesn't wear as many jerseys as his father.
Potential -- Middle 6 Center
# 25 (from Toronto)- RD Corson Ceulemans (Wisconsin - NCAA)
Hefty right handed defnder with a power shot with size. All over the place in draft rankings, and had 4 goals and 7 assists in eight games picked.
Potential -- Top 4 Defender
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
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