The Chicago Blackhawks have played 11 games in the 2024-25 NHL season, and the results align with expectations. With a record of 3-7-1 and seven points, they sit at the bottom of the league standings, holding a goal differential of minus-seven. Their offensive contributions beyond the top line have also been lacking.
However, there have been some positive developments. After a slow start, star player Connor Bedard is leading the team with nine points, while Ryan Donato has netted six goals, including three points in a victory against the Colorado Avalanche on October 29. Additionally, Lukas Reichel has shown promising skill with four points in his first seven games.
Among the team’s highlights is defenseman Seth Jones, now in his fourth season with the Blackhawks, who has made a strong impression this October. Let’s explore Jones’ impressive start to the season.
Jones’ Enhanced Performance
As he enters the third year of an eight-year, $76 million contract, Jones often faces criticism from fans when the team struggles. His hefty contract and significant ice time make him a focal point for frustrations.
Last season, some critiques were warranted. While we will discuss his production shortly, his overall gameplay suffered, evident in his defensive lapses and struggles against opposing top lines. Offensively, typically his strong suit, he had a tough time; after scoring 12 goals in the 2022-23 season, he didn’t score until the 31st game of last season on January 19, finishing with just eight goals and 23 assists—his lowest total since the 2015-16 season.
This season, however, is shaping up differently. Jones scored a goal and had two assists in just the third game against the Edmonton Oilers and produced seven points in the first seven games. Though he’s been without a point in the last four games, he has focused on making a bigger contribution on both ends of the ice. He’s recorded at least three shots in six of 11 games and is second on the team for shots taken. His even-strength Corsi of 50 percent is his best since the 2018-19 season. In a loss to the San Jose Sharks on October 31, he didn’t score but had a notable 11 shot attempts and a 56 percent even-strength Corsi.
Beyond statistics, Jones has displayed a newfound composure in his game that has been lacking in recent seasons. He’s taking extra time to make plays and is more relaxed in his own zone. Despite still logging over 25 minutes on average, including 27:09 against the Sharks—an excessive load for a player who isn’t among the league’s elite defensemen—there’s hope that the return of Alec Martinez might ease his burden.
Unjust Criticism of Jones
Last season, I compared Jones to former Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf. In Toronto, Phaneuf was overextended at nearly 25 minutes a night across all situations, which led to a decline in his performance. This fear similarly applies to Jones, who has shown signs of wear from heavy usage as a top NHL defenseman.
What made Phaneuf great early on was the ability to focus on his offensive skills without being pressured to be a true No. 1 defender. This allowed him to excel. Unfortunately, the Blackhawks lack defensive depth, which forces Coach Luke Richardson to rely heavily on Jones.
This isn’t just a long-term strategy that could backfire but is also unfair to Jones. After 11 games, the Blackhawks are last in the NHL, despite some improvements over last season. The lack of results suggests another rebuilding phase, making it questionable to overwork Jones during what could be prime years of his career.
It remains unclear how the Blackhawks will address these issues moving forward. For now, it’s worth acknowledging that Jones has significantly improved from his performance over the last two seasons, and fans should appreciate the motivated play they’re seeing from this key defenseman.
