Chicago Blackhawks officially complete a transaction with Seth Jones involving two players

The Chicago Blackhawks are shaking up their defense in preparation for the upcoming game against Vancouver and have completed a two-player transaction.

Seth Jones, a key defenseman, is now placed on injured reserve due to an upper-body injury. To fill his spot, the team has called up Wyatt Kaiser from AHL Rockford.

Jones' injury dates back to December 10th, and he can return after missing the Sunday game. Coach Luke Richardson mentioned there's no clear timeline for Jones' comeback, leaving the Blackhawks without their top defenseman for an uncertain period.

While Jones is still hunting for his first goal this season, he's made contributions with 11 assists in 27 games and an impressive 64 blocked shots. With an average ice time of 25:25 per game, Jones ranks fifth in the NHL in ATOI, posing a challenge for Richardson to manage those minutes creatively in his absence.



On the flip side, Kaiser, 21, is in his first full professional year and has mostly played with the Blackhawks this season. In 21 games, he managed four assists and 27 blocked shots, averaging 16:34 per night. The Blackhawks had sent him to Rockford earlier this month for more playing time, and although he didn't score in five games with the IceHogs, he gained valuable experience.

As the Blackhawks adapt to these defensive changes, all eyes will be on how Kaiser handles the increased responsibility and when Jones can return to strengthen the team's blue line.