Jones, 21, had 20 points (2G / 18A) in 41 games with the Blue Jackets after he was acquired from Nashville. Overall, he had 31 points (3G / 28A) in 2015-16, which was a new career-high for the 2013 4th overall pick. Jones has top-pairing upside and the Blue Jackets are hoping he takes a big step forward in 2016-17.
Jones was the fourth overall pick in 2013 and has been a force at both ends of the ice for the Predators. Nashville likely did not want to give Jones up, but they have a plethora of talented defensemen and were seeking help at forward, so Jones was dealt. He has 63 points (15G / 48A) in 199 career NHL games.
Jones had missed the previous five games with a concussion he suffered on March 23rd in Chicago. The Predators season is coming to a close, which means the end of Jones' rookie season. As of now, he has six goals and 18 asssits in 73 games. His 24 points has him tied for 21st amongst rookies in scoring.
Jones was cleared to return to game action on Tuesday, but he is not taking part in line rushes this morning. Usually if a player is returning he will skate along side his D partner in practice--Jones is not which suggests he will miss his fifth consecutive game.
Jones missed the last four games after being rocked by Andrew Shaw on March 23 in Chicago. Jones has scored six goals with 18 assists (24 points) and a minus-23 rating in 72 games in his rookie season. Expect him to be back in the lineup on Friday.
After being injured on Sunday, Jones will not play on Monday and is doubtful for the back-to-back on Thursday and Friday. Michael Del Zotto will slot back into the lineup with Jones out.
Jones left Sunday's game after being crunched by Andrew Shaw. His absence this morning suggests that he will not be in the lineup tonight vs. Colorado. That would mean Michael Del-Zotto will be back in the lineup tonight.
With Roman Josi out with a concussion the Predators have to shake up their pairings a bit. Jones has yet to register a point but he has averaged 22:11 TOI in his first two NHL games. Alongside Weber, Jones could become a legit fantasy option in his rookie season.
Jones played over 24 minutes a night in the preseason and that workload will likely carry over into the beginning stages of his NHL career. He is expected to open the season on the Preds second-pair with Kevin Klein, as well as play next to Shea Weber on the first power-play unit. “It’s been extremely easy [playing with them]. They do a lot of things that help you with your game indirectly,” Jones said. The 6-foot-3, 200lbs. defenseman is an early Rookie of the Year favourite
"It looks like Seth Jones will play in their top-four alongside Weber," David Boclair of the Nashville Post said. Jones is a great puck moving D-man and playing alongside Weber makes him an intriguing late round pick.
