Seth Jones Bounces Back After Lowest Point of Season

Seth Jones has been the most polarizing Blackhawks player in quite some time. When you’re the highest-paid player on the team, the expectations get raised. When you’re the highest-paid player on the team who has done nothing but struggle since you arrived, some fans go out of their way to take you down.

Nobody has had to go out of their way to criticize Jones’ play since returning from a broken foot that kept him out for five weeks. The 11-game span between Dec. 21 and Jan. 13 was ugly for the veteran defenseman. It was the worst stretch of his career in Chicago. Jones had a goal and five points but only 13 shots on goal and was a minus-8.

In his first 17 games before the injury, Jones had a 48.3 Corsi for percentage (CF%) at 5v5, meaning the Blackhawks had 48.3% of the total shot attempts while he was on the ice. Anything over 50% is good, but his number is respectable, considering how much time he spends in the defensive zone. In his first 11 games back, his CF% dropped to 39.1. What caused this dramatic dip? Did Jones come back too soon? Was adjusting to a new system difficult? Was playing with a new partner every night a problem? It was a combination of all three that led to these poor performances.

Jones hit rock bottom against the Calgary Flames last Monday. He was on the ice for four Flames’ goals in the 5-2 loss. While on a five-minute power play that Connor Bedard had already scored on to draw the Blackhawks to within two goals, Jones made a brutal pass that led to a shorthanded goal for Yegor Sharangovich.

Interim head coach Anders Sorensen cut Jones’ playing time after that play. He only got 4:53 of ice time over the final 26:22. He played a total of 16:19, the lowest TOI of his Blackhawks career in a game he did not leave for an injury.

As he always does, Jones took full ownership, calling his turnover a “boneheaded” play. Regardless of what you may think of him as a player, he is never afraid to point the finger at himself when things go wrong.

“We’re not putting the product the ice we want to, and I gladly take the blame for that,” he said. “Supposedly, that comes with the territory, with the contract I got, but I’m willing to stand in front of it. The losing obviously doesn’t help that at all, but it starts with myself.”

After some time on the practice ice, the last two outings have been much better for Jones. He was back to 25:55 of TOI against the Nashville Predators on Friday. He had an assist in the 3-2 shootout loss and made a handful of solid defensive plays to break up scoring chances. Saturday night’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights was his best game of the season and possibly his best since being acquired by the Blackhawks.

Related: Seth Jones & Tyler Bertuzzi Lead Blackhawks to Victory over Vegas

He scored the game-winning goal in the final minute of the second period while recording two assists to finish with three points. At least for one night, Jones won back the fans as a sold-out United Center gave him and the team a standing ovation following a big 5-3 victory.

“It was a great team win,” Jones said. ‘I’m glad I could contribute in a positive way tonight and make some plays offensively and be strong defensively as well. It was a great team effort.”

Jones and Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno were teammates with the Columbus Blue Jackets and have a bond. Foligno was thrilled to see the bounce back on Saturday.

“He played awesome,” said Foligno. “He’s a proud guy. He’s a pro. He wants to be a part of this. It’s nice to see him leading the way. When he does, look how much better we are. It’s the reality of the position he holds.

“We’re all human, and there are things you go through throughout the year. It’s hard when you’re not winning and things aren’t the way you want them to be. But he’s found a way to really impact the game the past two and look at where we’re going with it.”

Related: Foligno & Donato Hit Milestones, Good Salary Cap News

Sorensen knows the Blackhawks are better when Jones is playing at his best. Getting him to consistently play at that level will be key to this team’s success for the remainder of the season.

“I thought he was really good, the best game I’ve seen from him since I’ve been here,” Sorensen said last night. “His gaps were much better; he was invested a lot in the game emotionally and seemed to be really into it. He had some offensive output, but the defensive part of his game was really good. This is what we expect of him at times. That was obviously really good and could be a top defenseman in this league. Hopefully, we keep doing that.”

Jones knows what he must do and what the expectations are. It is just a matter of putting it together on a nightly basis.

“Just make solid plays and be hard around the net defensively,” said Jones. “It all starts there. And when I have the offensive chances I get, try to capitalize, make quick decisions and good puck plays. The last couple of games I felt pretty good just moving my feet and skating out of situations I’m put it, and it’s turned into some good things.”

When your top defensive pair is clicking, it trickles down through the rest of the team. The return of a healthy Alec Martinez sure doesn’t hurt either. Jones plays his best hockey when he and Martinez are paired together. The Blackhawks finally have a top line that is humming; getting the back end settled will get things moving in the right direction, too.