Seth Jones is back and belongs in your starting lineup

Coming off a second degree MCL sprain that he suffered in preseason of this year, I think most expected Seth Jones to be out until at least mid-November but he’s coming back tonight against the Arizona Coyotes! This is a big surprise.

If you have him on your IR take him off immediately and start him.

He’s 93% owned so there is a slim chance he’s available but let’s walk down real briefly what you are getting from the fourth overall pick in the 2013 draft:

• 2017 – 10^th most points among defensemen; 4^th most shots AND 4^th most goals, MOST power play goals among defensemen.
• 2016 – 18^th most points among defensemen; 13^th most goals, 8^th most game winning goals.
• 2015 – 46^th most points among defensemen; 31^st in shots on goal, 33^rd in assists.

Like a fine wine, he is getting better and better with age. And his age is only 24 so there are peak years yet to come. He will come up and join Zach Werenski to form one of the top three defensive pairings in the league. This is a boost to either of the power play units depending on where which unit the place him, the top pairing currently is Boone Jenner, Nick Foligno, Anthony Duclair, Artemi Panarin and Zach Werenski and it looks like Seth Jones might be on the second unit with Oliver Bjorkstrand, Alexander Wennberg, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Cam Atkinson.

Columbus is 21^st in power play goals this year and while they were 28^th last year, I think many anticipate them improving as their talented young squad gets older. Among the aforementioned 10 players on the top two power play units, only three (Nick Foligno, Cam Atkinson and Artemi Panarin) are over the age of 25. There is ample room for this team to get better, especially in this area, this year. I think with time he could move back up to the top unit and continue where he left off last year.

My bold prediction: within the first two games he has 3 points including a power play goal.