SUNRISE, Fla. — The prospect of bringing in a defenseman of Seth Jones’ caliber might appear to be a straightforward decision, but for the Florida Panthers, it was anything but simple.
Florida’s general manager and president of hockey operations, Bill Zito, spoke on Sunday regarding the recently concluded trade that saw Seth Jones come over from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for goaltender Spencer Knight. Zito emphasized that the decision was the result of a thorough and deliberate process despite Jones’ impressive resume and status as a Stanley Cup champion, as he has five years remaining on a substantial contract.
“This wasn’t a decision made lightly, taking much more than 10 minutes to resolve,” Zito explained. “We put endless time, energy, effort, and research into all aspects, from live scouting and knowing personnel to analytics and coachability. As we assessed everything, Jones continued to meet all our criteria. These are the types of players we can confidently invest in, believing he’ll thrive here.”
Drafted fourth overall in 2013, Seth Jones will officially be presented by the Panthers on Monday following the team’s morning practice, just before their home game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He is expected to quickly assume a significant role on the team’s blue line. Jones isn’t a complete stranger to some Panthers players; having previously played alongside goalie Sergei Bobrovsky in Columbus, he brings camaraderie and experience.
Acquiring Jones came at a significant cost. The Panthers will absorb 74% of Jones’ average salary of $9.5 million over the next five years, with Chicago retaining the remainder. This move also involved parting with Spencer Knight, viewed as the Panthers’ goaltender of the future. Drafted in the first round in 2019, Knight has shown impressive skill at every level of hockey.
In the past year and a half, Knight has been candid about his battle with obsessive-compulsive disorder. He sought treatment in 2023, briefly stepping away from the sport. Though he didn’t play for the Panthers last season, he spent 2023-24 in the minors before returning as Bobrovsky’s backup this season, achieving a 12-8-1 record with two shutouts.
Throughout the season, Knight earned admiration from the Panthers organization, from players to coaches and front office personnel. The challenge in trading Knight was palpable, as he was a fan favorite in Florida. Zito highlighted the complexity of the decision, shedding light on its emotional difficulty.
“It was extremely tough on multiple levels,” Zito said of the Knight trade. “Our respect for Spencer is immense. He’s not only a great player but also a great person. The guy’s a champion. It’s hard to let go on both personal and professional fronts, but tough decisions are part of the job.”
The Panthers may have more moves in store ahead of Friday’s trade deadline. Forward Matthew Tkachuk was placed on injured reserve after sustaining a lower-body injury at the 4 Nations Face-Off event, making his return uncertain.
“It’s going to be a busy week,” Zito remarked. “I like our team, and I’m pleased with our group. But our mentality is to always pursue improvement. That’s the path we choose.”
