The 2016-17 campaign needed to be a big one for Columbus Blue Jackets defender Seth Jones.
After a blockbuster mid-season swap last year sent the 2013 fourth overall pick to Columbus in exchange for top-line centreman Ryan Johansen, all eyes were on the young Jones to prove he could be the top-tier rearguard the Blue Jackets have long craved.
He finished 2015-16 with 20 points through 41 games with his new club, a mediocre offensive showing to match his uneven defensive play.
But Columbus knew what they had in Jones, and proved their faith in him by way of a six-year, $32.4-million extension, paying the 22-year-old $5.4 million per year.
So when Jones took the ice for his first game of 2016-17, he did so knowing it was his turn to produce, and in doing so validate the Blue Jackets' ambitious swing for his services.
Living up to the hype
With the first of those six seasons nearly complete, Jones has rewarded the Blue Jackets' faith, coming through with a career year and playing a key role in spurring the club's dominant campaign.
Through 64 games this season, Jones has already posted a career-best 10 goals and 39 points, putting him on par with Drew Doughty and Nick Leddy for the 15th-most points among NHL defenders.
But that ranking doesn't tell the full story.
While he's been productive overall, and much better on the defensive side, the key to Jones' importance to Columbus this season has been his dominance during even-strength play.
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
Even-strength excellence
While teammate Zach Werenski leads the team's blue-liners with 46 points, nearly half his sum has come on the man advantage, with the ice tilted in the Blue Jackets' favor.
There's no denying Werenski has been an exceptional offensive force this season, but it's worth noting the heights Jones is reaching at even strength, where the majority of the game is played and the chips are stacked more evenly.
In this context, Jones is the far superior offensive option, as 33 of his 39 points have come at even strength, which ties Duncan Keith and Dustin Byfuglien for third-most in the league among blue-liners, bested only by Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson.
The same goes for Jones' goals count. All 10 have come during even-strength play, and only three defensemen have tallied more when teams send out equal numbers.
Keeping Columbus in the mix
Of course, meanwhile, the Blue Jackets have become one of the NHL's most dominant clubs, scoring the fourth-most goals per game (3.17), and sitting just two points behind the Washington Capitals in the Presidents' Trophy race.
There's no denying Jones has been crucial to that success. And his reasonable cap hit is going to be key to the Blue Jackets' ability to contend past this season as well.
With talented prospects like Alexander Wennberg and Josh Anderson due for extensions this summer, and Columbus already paying a pretty penny to its starting netminder and top forwards, the club will need every spare dollar it can find.
Jones is doing his part - with his 39 points, he's outscored 27 of the 34 defensemen earning salaries bigger than his this season.
Not a bad start to that six-year deal.
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