The Chicago Blackhawks are looking for a new team captain to replace Jonathan Toews, who is no longer with the team. There is perhaps no one fitting to take over other than Seth Jones, someone who has learned much from Toews and other veteran NHL players before him.
Toews, a three-time Stanley Cup champion, announced in August that he was taking a season off on Instagram. However, the 35-year-old clarified that he was not yet done playing in the NHL.
With no one taking his place yet, Jones shared with Tracey Meyers of NHL.com that he had always wanted to be a captain. Regardless, he understands his role with the team and will continue to be a leader whether or not he has a letter on his jersey.
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"I've always wanted to be a captain," the defenseman said at the NHL North American Player Media Tour. "I've learned from some great leaders -- Shea Weber, Nick Foligno, Jonathan Toews -- I mean, I played with some of the greatest captains that we've seen. It would be pretty special."
Considering that the Blackhawks are in a rebuilding phase, turning to Jones would make sense. Further, it would give the first overall pick of the 2023 NHL Draft, Connor Bedard, to get himself acclimatized before eventually inheriting the reins in the next couple of years.
Jones's contract complicates Blackhawks team captain aspirations
Jones could serve as the team captain before then. However, there are complications on the table.
The fourth overall pick of the 2013 NHL Draft is entering only the second year of the eight-year $76 million deal he signed with the Blackhawks in 2021.
This was not long after he was traded to Chicago by the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Adam Boqvist in a deal that also included picks from both teams, the Associated Press reported.
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