The Detroit Red Wings could aim to strengthen their blue line before the March 7 trade deadline.
Using PuckPedia’s PuckGM tool, one user suggested a trade in which the Red Wings would acquire defenseman Seth Jones from the Chicago Blackhawks.
Proposed trade:
Red Wings receive:
- Seth Jones
Blackhawks receive:
- Justin Holl
- Michael Rasmussen
- 2025 second-round pick
This deal would be a significant move, with Detroit landing Jones without salary retention in exchange for two NHL players and a draft pick.
Jones is currently in the third season of his eight-year, $76 million contract. A five-time NHL All-Star, he would likely slot into Detroit’s top or second defensive pairing, bringing offensive production from the back end. In 38 games, he has recorded six goals and 20 assists for 26 points.
For Chicago, the trade would provide relief from Jones’ long-term contract. The Blackhawks would take on Holl, who is in the second year of a three-year, $10.2 million deal but has struggled since joining Detroit. They would also acquire Rasmussen, the ninth overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, who has posted eight goals and seven assists for 15 points in 54 games this season. Rasmussen is in the first year of a four-year, $12.8 million contract. Additionally, the second-round pick would give Chicago another asset for the future.
Jones Open to Being Traded
Seth Jones has been with the Blackhawks since 2021 after being traded from the Columbus Blue Jackets.
With Chicago in the midst of a rebuild and outside the playoff race, Jones hasn’t formally requested a trade but is open to the possibility.
“We all know the whole story and what happened when I got here,” Jones told the Chicago Sun-Times. “I would like to give myself a chance to win in my career. I know that the money is not an easy thing to move, and that’s what we’re figuring out. If it happens, it happens. Obviously, while I’m here with the Blackhawks, they have my full effort [and] full attention to this team to try to get this team better.”
Jones holds a no-movement clause, giving him full control over whether he is traded before the deadline. If he remains in Chicago, he remains committed to helping the team improve.
“Winning games makes you feel better,” he said. “It makes the team feel better. It makes your organization feel better. You have fun coming to the rink every day. That’s what my goal is for this team, as long as I’m here. It could be two weeks. It could be five more years.”
The Blackhawks currently sit at 17-31-7, placing them second-to-last in the NHL.
Red Wings Gelling as a Team
Since firing Derek Lalonde and bringing in Todd McLellan as head coach, the Detroit Red Wings have been thriving.
Currently holding onto a playoff spot, the team’s chemistry has been a key factor in their success, according to veteran forward Andrew Copp.
“We talked a little bit about identity again today and all the parts of the actual hockey game, but something that we talked about at the end was our togetherness, resiliency, and the team that we have, in terms of handling adversity but sticking together,” Copp said. “That has really improved since Christmas. Obviously, winning helps with that, but I feel like we’re really gelling as a team.”
Detroit will be back in action on February 22 against the Minnesota Wild.