The case for Jones:Make no mistake, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2013 NHL draft is now exactly what people expected him to be - one of the top two-way defensemen in the game.
After just 29 goals in his first four NHL seasons, Jones exploded for 16 tallies to go with 41 assists for 57 points, all career highs, a season ago. This year, his per-game averages are almost exactly the same, with Jones bouncing back from missing the first seven games of the season to again be a consistent offensive threat for the Blue Jackets with six goals and 11 assists in 23 games.
He's also been a workhorse on the blue line, averaging 26:29, which leads the entire NHL. He's already among the team leaders in blocked shots, and he's taken just two minor penalties in his first 23 games of the campaign.
And if you're looking for a D-man who can play 3-on-3, he's the man. Jones has five overtime goals over the past three seasons.
