Seth Jones, Blue Jackets Agree on New Contract: Latest Details and Reaction

After acquiring him in a trade with the Nashville Predators last season, the Columbus Blue Jackets locked up defenseman Seth Jones on Wednesday with a six-year contract extension worth $5.4 million per season.

Chris Johnston of Sportsnet reported the extension, and TSN's Darren Dreger confirmed it.

The Blue Jackets later confirmed the news as well.  

Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen commented on the organization's decision to extend the 21-year-old blueliner, per the team's official website:

"

Acquiring [Jones] was very important to our organization and reaching a long-term agreement with him to remain a Blue Jacket was a priority, so we are extremely excited about having done so today. At 21, Seth is just beginning to tap into his potential as a player. He has everything you look for in a defenseman and is going to be a very important player and leader on our team for many years.

"

Craig Custance of ESPN The Magazine praised the move and the fact that Columbus didn't have to break the bank in order to keep Jones:

The American rearguard posted a career-high 31 points last season split between the Preds and Jackets, including 20 points in 41 games during his time with Columbus.

He also averaged over 24 minutes per game as a Blue Jacket after never reaching 20 minutes per contest during his two-and-a-half-year tenure in Nashville.

The 2013 No. 4 overall draft pick has all the makings of developing into a stud defenseman should his progress continue, which could make his contract a bargain in the coming years.

Columbus gave up a big piece to get Jones in the form of forward Ryan Johansen, and it is abundantly clear that the Blue Jackets are committed to giving Jones every opportunity to become the No. 1 blueliner he was billed as when he entered the league.

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