Seth Jones doesn’t want to commit to Jacket’s trade target!

Seth Jones is a bonafide top-pairing defenseman and when he revealed he would test free agency waters next summer and not re-sign with the Columbus Blue Jackets, we knew a trade was coming. 

The Jackets have been looking to pull the trigger on a deal this summer, however contenders entering the Jones sweepstakes want to make sure that the blue liner will re-sign with them. 

The Philadelphia Flyers are interested in acquiring Jones and are looking at ways to get the perfect package to acquire his services. 

However, it sounds like Jones, who has just one year remaining on his deal at $5.4 million, isn’t thrilled about the idea of staying long-term in Philly. Therefore, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports on his latest 31 Thoughts podcast that the Flyers might not be able to pull this trade seeing that Jones will not commit to them. 

“There are a couple of places Seth Jones would sign long-term now, not sure Philadelphia is one of them.”

At the moment, it sounds like Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen’s asking price isn’t yet known. It remains to be seen if Columbus will decide to ask for NHL players in return, rather than high picks and ready prospects. 

There is no doubt that Jones holds the ace on the table and we know few teams will pay a ransom for a defenseman on a one-year deal that could test free agency and cash in big next summer. 

And clearly, the Flyers aren’t willing to take that risk.