Edmonton Oilers: Can Caleb Jones Make Next Step Forward

The Edmonton Oilers definitely took Caleb Jones’ legacy into consideration when drafting him in the fourth round in 2015.

Jones’ brother, Seth, is a star defenceman for the Columbus Blue Jackets, and his father is former NBA player Popeye Jones. Obviously, Jones comes from a star-studded family but also carries a lot of that potential. When it comes to bringing that star power to the ice, he fails to disappoint.

Jones turned 20 earlier this month, meaning that he is now eligible to play full-time in the AHL and continue to grow in his career.

Edmonton Oilers

This past year in the WHL, Jones posted outstanding numbers and went above expectations. With that being said, can Jones make the next step forward and thrive with the Condors? And if so, where does he go from here?

Jones finished this past year with nine goals and 62 points and about .98 points per game on average through 63 games with the Portland Winterhawks. Not only did he play a strong, physical game on defence, but he moved the puck effectively and helped his team have a strong offensive push. In addition, Jones thrived in the postseason, posting a goal and 10 points through 11 playoff games, as well as about .91 PPG.

Though the 6-foot-1, 194-pound blueliner isn’t the biggest player on the backend, he is equipped to play a versatile game. Jones is able to skate well and play a physical game, where he will win battles for the puck and be the strongest man on the play. He is a hard-worker with remarkable on-ice awareness, and he skates well, too. Not to mention, Jones is an avid puck-mover with a quick, dangerous point shot.

Making the Next Step?

Jones got to grow a lot this past year and went above and beyond in his ability. He played top-pairing minutes and combined a strong defensive game with offensive ability. If he brings this to training camp, he will certainly get to spend most of the season on the top-four with Bakersfield and will be just one step away from the ultimate goal: a spot on the Oilers blue line.

Next: Edmonton Oilers: Should Draisaitl Carry His Own Line?

If Jones does in fact head to the minors this season, he will certainly thrive there. The Oilers are going to see more junior prospects join the Condors, as seen with Ethan Bear’s growth. This is a great sign for the future, given the team needs to build more organizational depth on the blue line. By the end of this season, Jones and Bear could even see time on the same pairing, bouncing off one another. In the end, one thing is certain. The future is bright in Edmonton.