Seth Jones on Blackhawks’ struggles: ‘We’re the exact same team as we were Game 1’

It has been another long season in the Windy City, and it’s starting to boil over for some.

After the Chicago Blackhawks fell 2-1 to the Utah Hockey Club on Tuesday night, Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones clearly expressed frustration with the team’s performance during another abysmal campaign.

“This is in almost four years of, you know, bottom of the league,” Jones said in a postgame scrum. “So, it’s not just this year for me, at least.”

The 30-year-old scored Chicago’s lone goal in the losing effort, the team’s fourth straight loss and seventh in its last eight contests.

The Blackhawks entered the season with hopes of improvement after last season, which saw them finish 15th in the Western Conference. Connor Bedard was coming off winning the Calder Trophy and many expected the team to move up the standings, slowly building toward being a playoff contender in the next couple of years.

However, through 58 games, much has stayed the same. With the defeat against Utah, Chicago has 41 losses this season, 34 of which came in regulation. Only the last-place San Jose Sharks have more defeats on their record this season.

Jones was asked what can be done to help this team play better in the final weeks of the regular season. However, the Texas native chuckled, portraying that there might not be an answer for a team that’s going to be back in the NHL Draft Lottery conversation.

“We’re the exact same team right now as we were Game 1. It’s pretty evident out there. We haven’t made any strides to be a better, more simple hockey team, and it shows.”

The Blackhawks were outshot 36-22 in the loss to Utah, with the shot attempts going to UHC, 93-39. Jones was sure to credit goaltender Arvid Soderblom, who did his part to keep the struggling Hawks in the contest.

“[Soderblom] was sorry was unbelievable. We have zero chance of winning if he doesn’t stand on his head.”

Unfortunately for Jones, he might have a long road ahead of him in Chicago unless things start to change for the better. He is in just the third season of an eight-year contract he signed with the Hawks in July 2021. While some have hinted at Jones being traded, his contract would be difficult to move, especially since he has a full no-move clause and an AAV of $9.5 million through the 2029-30 campaign.

The Blackhawks (17-34-7) are last in the Central Division, three points ahead of the Sharks for the worst record in the NHL.