Seth Jones is now a part of the Florida Panthers’ lineup after being traded from the Chicago Blackhawks. Florida, the defending Stanley Cup champions, made a strategic move to bolster their roster by acquiring Jones as well as a 2026 fourth-round pick in exchange for goaltender Spencer Knight and a conditional first-round selection in next year’s draft. Chicago is retaining 26% of Jones’ salary, approximately $2.5 million annually. The Panthers are gearing up to play their next game at home against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday.
This trade signifies another significant addition for the Panthers, who already boast a lineup with pivotal players such as Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Anton Lundell, Carter Verhaeghe, and Gustav Forsling, all secured through 2030. Jones, a top-tier defenseman, joins this formidable team with hopes of further strengthening Florida’s position in the NHL.
Bill Zito, the general manager, and president of hockey operations for the Panthers expressed his excitement over the acquisition. “Seth is an elite veteran defenseman and a proven leader in our league,” said Zito. “He has been one of the most consistent players of the past decade serving as a reliable workhorse on both sides of the puck, and he will help our club continue to compete at the highest level.”
Jones, originally the 4th overall pick by Nashville in the 2013 draft, was perceived as a high-caliber talent from the start. Back then, Florida chose Aleksander Barkov over him with the 2nd pick, a decision that joins them as teammates more than a decade later. Jones, keen on proving his abilities, had competed from the outset of his NHL career, beginning with the Predators, then moving to Columbus for six seasons, and finally playing for Chicago over the last four years.
During his tenure with the Blackhawks, the team struggled to make playoff appearances, motivating Jones to seek a trade to a contending team. His request came about a week and a half ago, citing a timeline mismatch with Chicago’s rebuilding efforts. Chicago’s general manager, Kyle Davidson, noted that Jones’ comments led to the swift completion of the trade.
Jones’ career includes 97 goals and 335 assists over 839 games, and he has not been in a postseason match since 2020. His professional lineage runs deep, as his father, Popeye Jones, played in the NBA for over a decade. “No trade’s easy, but I think we landed in a great spot for the organization,” Davidson commented.
In trading for Jones, Florida parted ways with Spencer Knight, their No. 13 overall pick in the 2019 draft. Knight has served as a reliable goaltender, accumulating a record of 44-25-7 with a 2.76 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage. This season, Knight has recorded 12 wins in 21 appearances, working as the backup to Sergei Bobrovsky.
Davidson praised Knight, describing him as a promising talent. “We’re getting a really exciting young talent, very technically sound, a winner at all levels,” Davidson said. “We loved him in the draft and he’s had great success in every place he’s been.”
