It’s been a bumpy ride for the Columbus Blue Jackets this season. After starting the year 17-8-1, they have been marred in many hot and cold streaks, with one even forcing them out of a playoff spot. After finishing last season in third place in the Metro Division with 108 points, it’s going to be much closer this time, with Columbus probably looking at finishing in a wild card spot. But through all the commotion and doubt from this season, Seth Jones has emerged as an elite defender for almost all fantasy teams.

Ever since he was a teenager drafted fourth overall by the Nashville Predators, Seth Jones has had the potential to be a top defenseman in the NHL. He began his career with the Predators with somewhat modest point totals hovering from 25-30 points, mostly because of the several other high-quality defensemen in front of him. However, once he was traded to the Blue Jackets, Jones started to take off, tallying 20 points in his first 41 games and 42 points in 75 games next year.

Now entering this season, people expected around the same output from Jones. With Zach Werenski in the fold, it would be harder for Jones to blossom into an elite offensive defensemen since he wouldn’t be the go-to guy anymore. But on pace for a career year this season, Jones has risen to be one of the most valuable fantasy players in the league. According to our Fantasy Hockey Geek tool, Jones has provided the 12^th most value in standard 12-team, H2H Yahoo leagues measuring goals, assists, shots on goal, power play points, and hits.
 

With an FHG Value of 65, Seth Jones ranks higher than other big names like P.K. Subban, John Klingberg, and Erik Karlsson. What makes Jones so valuable is his stellar peripherals, as he has the second-most shots on goal by any defender. The only defender to have more shots than him is Brent Burns, and he’s one of only four defensemen so far to have taken more than 200 shots. His 82 hits aren’t as many as players like Dion Phaneuf and Dustin Byfuglien, but his 16 power-play points are the 14^th most out of all defenders.

Combine that with his excellent point totals and you get one of the most valuable defenders in fantasy hockey. Jones’ 46 points (which project to 55 points over 82 games) are the 10^th most in the NHL by all defenders and his 13 goals are tied for the fourth most. At only 23 years old, Jones has a bright future as he continues his fantastic season this year.