There was a flurry of motion on Saturday earlier than the NHL Commerce Deadline. One of many massive names on the market was defenseman Seth Jones. Jones is transferring because the Florida Panthers have acquired the defenseman from the Chicago Blackhawks.
Blackhawks are getting Spencer Knight and a 2027 first spherical choose from Florida for Seth Jones
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) March 2, 2025
As a part of the deal, the Florida Panthers get a 2026 fourth-round choose ship goaltender Spencer Knight and a conditional 2026 first-round choose (slides to 2027 if the Panthers don’t have their 2026 first) to the Blackhawks for Jones. As well as, the Blackhawks are retaining $2.5 million, 26.3 % of Jones’s wage.
Jones is in 12 months three of an eight-year extension price $76 million, which he signed when he was traded from the Columbus Blue Jackets to the Blackhawks on July 23, 2021. 5 days later, he signed that extension with Chicago, with an annual common worth of $9.5 million. So, the Blackhawks will retain $2.5 million for the subsequent 5 seasons.
Seth Jones is in Yr 3 of 8 $9.5M Cap Hit. #Blackhawks solely have 1 retention spot remaining
— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) March 2, 2025
Seth Jones has been asking for a commerce because the 4 Nations Face-off. Jones needs to be a part of a contender and have an opportunity to win. The Florida Panthers, Dallas Stars, and Columbus Blue Jackets have been groups thinking about him.
NHL Rumors: Could the Florida Panthers Go After Seth Jones?
However Florida wanted a right-shot defenseman to go together with Aaron Ekblad, a pending unrestricted free agent on the finish of the season. He’s nonetheless an excellent defenseman who can eat minutes, averaging 24 minutes a nigh,t and might transfer the puck. However his motion in his personal zone is his weak spot. However with the appropriate accomplice and the appropriate pairing, he can nonetheless be an excellent defenseman.
Seth Jones, acquired by FLA, is a minute-munching defenceman who is powerful on the puck, massive, and above-average in nearly each aspect of the sport. His Achilles hill the previous 5 years has been agility which makes him weak defending the frenzy. pic.twitter.com/uzpWlmchff
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) March 2, 2025
Florida has the flexibility to make him into the man he was in Nashville and Columbus. In 42 video games, he has 27 factors (seven targets and 20 assists) with the Blackhawks this season. His feedback the opposite night time solely escalated the state of affairs when he acknowledged that this staff has not progressed and is similar staff because it was at the start of the season.
NHL Rumors: Chicago Blackhawks, and Seth Jones
In 839 profession video games, he has recorded 432 factors (97 targets and 335 assists). He may also assist the Florida Panthers with the facility play. Chicago retaining his wage exhibits that Florida is aware of Matthew Tkachuk is probably not coming again within the common season. They are going to have LTIR cash they’ll use.
Nonetheless, transferring out Spencer Knight and his $4.5 million wage helps with taking over $7 million of Seth Jones’s wage for the subsequent 5 seasons. Chicago will get a goalie in Knight for the longer term, and Florida will stay a contender to win the Stanley Cup this season.
Now the query shall be, on the finish of the season, whether or not Aaron Ekblad will keep.
