(670 The Score) On draft night, the Blackhawks made a big splash on the trade market.
Chicago on Friday evening acquired defenseman Seth Jones, the No. 32 overall pick in the first round and a sixth-round pick in 2022 from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for defenseman Adam Boqvist, the No. 12 pick in the first round (it's the No. 11 slot for practical purposes given Arizona's forfeiture of a pick ahead of it), a second-round in this draft and a first-round selection in 2022, the teams announced. The first-rounder headed Columbus' way in 2022 is protected for the top two slots. Should it land in the top two, that pick would roll over into a first-rounder for the Blue Jackets in 2023.
Jones also agreed to an eight-year contract extension with the Blackhawks worth $76 million, according to reports. The new deal that includes a $9.5-million average annual value will make Jones the third-highest-paid defenseman in the NHL, according to Sportsnet Stats. He can't sign his extension until Wednesday, when NHL free agency officially opens.
Jones, 26, is a four-time All-Star. He had 28 points (five goals, 23 assists) in 56 games last season. The 6-foot-4 Jones' best season came in 2017-’18, when he had 57 points (16 goals, 41 assists) in 78 games and finished fourth in the Norris Trophy race.
The Blackhawks recently acquired Jones’ brother, Caleb, in a trade with the Oilers.
Boqvist, 20, had 16 points (two goals, 14 assists) in 35 games for the Blackhawks last season. Chicago selected him at No. 8 overall in the 2018 draft.