Josh Cooper

jcooper2@tennessean.com

There's one pretty good reason you might have seen Predators defenseman Seth Jones around town this summer.

"I'm leasing a house, so I don't want to go back to Dallas and waste it," he said with a laugh about his hometown.

There's a more crucial reason he stuck around Nashville, of course. The training staff has been able to keep close watch on the franchise's blueliner of the future as he works out in preparation for his second NHL season.

After all, Jones is still just 19 years old.

"He knows he has to get stronger and fill out," general manager David Poile said. "He's a pretty determined and dedicated kid."

It's somewhat rare for Predators players to stay in town during the offseason. Most scatter for the offseason. Captain Shea Weber heads to his summer home in British Columbia. Goaltender Pekka Rinne goes to his native Finland. Forward Eric Nystrom resides in the Los Angeles area.

Predators strength and conditioning coach David Good has been able to monitor how the fourth overall pick of the 2013 draft is developing physically. Jones said he has gained about five pounds of muscle so far and weighs 210. The Predators like that trend.

"Physically he needs to mature more," assistant coach Phil Housley said. "He has to get stronger on his feet. He has to get more leverage, starting with the basic foundation of his legs up. That's just going to come with maturity and having seasons of working out as he grows. Mentally, I think he's mature."

Part of the mental maturity involves giving back to the community. Jones never has been shy about helping Nashville grow the game of hockey, and he did so last week at Predators Hockey School.

"I'm here, I might as well. It's good that I get out once in a while and give back to the community a little bit," Jones said. "If I can go to the hockey schools or camps, I'll do it."

Despite committing to a lot of time in Nashville, Jones has ventured elsewhere. Last weekend, he went to Canada to take part in Weber's charity golf tournament.

"We didn't talk much hockey," said Jones, who also witnessed one of Weber's legendary workouts. "It was kind of hanging out — it's summer away from the rink. I stayed at his place. The golf tournament was fantastic and a great event."

Jones said he hasn't had much interaction with Predators coach Peter Laviolette since the World Championships. Laviolette was Team USA's coach.

The tournament, which took place in early May, turned into a showcase for Jones. He was named the event's top defenseman after notching 11 points in eight games.

Although the Predators can watch Jones up close in Nashville for now, the performance gave them all the evidence they needed to know he is on the right track.

"He was one of the guys we had to lean on," said Housley, who was a Team USA assistant. "Here's a guy who has a 1994 birthdate, and being named the best defenseman of the tournament. That says a lot about him in his development, and I think he's going to really gain some confidence. Hopefully he can use that experience."

Reach Josh Cooper at 615-726-8917 and on Twitter @JoshuaCooper.





SETH JONES FILE

Birthplace: Arlington, Texas.

Age: 19.

Height, weight: 6-foot-4, 205 pounds.

Predators draft pick: First round (fourth overall) in 2013.

Last season: 25 points (6 goals, 19 assists) in 77 games with the Predators.

Offseason: Named top defenseman in IIHF World Championships this summer after posting two goals and nine assists in eight games with Team USA.

Next season: The Predators recently signed veteran defenseman Anton Volchenkov as a potential defensemate for Jones, a right-handed shot. Volchenkov is a lefty.