NHL insider reveals Oilers interested in top Western Conference defenseman

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Ryan Hall
November 1, 2024 (9:58 PM)

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It's been revealed by 32 Thoughts podcaster and Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman that Oilers general manager Stan Bowman is interested in landing Seth Jones of the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Oilers defense core has not performed as well as they hoped after the team and organization reconfigured their blue line which appeared to be weaker than it was before. Some have felt that this is partially responsible for the slow start this season, but Friedman has stated that Bowman is looking for a top 4 defenseman to help shore up his blue line and it appears that Jones maybe his choice.

It would be a tall order for the Oilers to acquire Jones and it would require significant financial reconfiguration to fit his massive $9.5 million salary per season which has three more seasons remaining after this year is complete.

The Oilers would need to send money back to the Blackhawks or the Blackhawks would need to retain a portion of his salary which could be difficult especially as the Blackhawks are preparing to pay for their future stars in the next couple of years.

It's likely that he would waive his no movement clause as Jones would be heading to a Stanley Cup contender with the Blackhawks appearing to have another dismal season ahead of them.

The 30-year-old Jones who stands at 6 foot 4 and 213 pounds was selected by the Nashville Predators in 2013 fourth overall. His career has had a few stops including the Nashville Predators, Columbus Blue Jackets and the Chicago Blackhawks.

Bowman would certainly shift the ground if he could make this deal work but it's more likely the Oilers will look for less expensive deals which are far more plausible and easier to do financially. It wouldn't surprise me if he hasn't found his former employee general manager Kyle Davidson to see what it would take to pry him out of Chicago.