Defenseman Seth Jones hoped to get a commerce away from the Chicago Blackhawks, and on Saturday night he received precisely that. Not solely did he get the commerce, he’s going to one of many NHL’s finest groups and a bona fide Stanley Cup contender.
The Blackhawks are sending Jones and a 2026 fourth-round decide to the Florida Panthers in alternate for goalie Spencer Knight and a 2026 first-round draft.
Chicago can also be retaining 25 % of Jones’ remaining contract by the top of the 2029-30 season.
It’s an fascinating commerce for each groups, and maybe a greater than anticipated return for Chicago.
It is usually an particularly massive gamble for Florida.
The Panthers have been in want of further defensive assist as they attempt to defend their Stanley Cup championship, and Jones will definitely assist carry some offense to their lineup. However his contract has at all times been the massive impediment with him as a result of he has by no means actually performed just like the $9.5 million participant the Blackhawks have been paying him to be. At occasions that contract gave the impression to be unmovable.
However with Chicago retaining a portion of that remaining contract, the Panthers at the moment are getting Jones as a $7 million per 12 months participant, which makes it slightly extra tolerable. However there’s nonetheless some debate as as to whether or not he’s even price that. For in regards to the previous three or 4 years he is been a participant whose repute — and wage — has at occasions exceeded his precise on-ice worth.
Not solely is Florida taking up that important cap hit, nevertheless it’s additionally buying and selling two very helpful property in Knight and a future first-round decide. Knight remains to be solely 23 years previous and can get an opportunity to tackle a much bigger function in Chicago than he was ever going to get in Florida behind Sergei Bobrovsky. Whereas his profession has seen him produce principally league common numbers up to now, he nonetheless has the potential and skill to be a long-term starter.
Florida has had an excessive amount of success lately in serving to defensemen flip their careers round, and Jones definitely suits the mildew of gamers they search for.
With veteran Aaron Ekblad doubtlessly headed to free company after this season, that they had a necessity for a long-term reply as nicely.
Now the query is whether or not or not they will get Jones to play as much as his wage.
If he does, will probably be one other shrewd transfer for a workforce that has constantly pushed all the proper buttons lately.
If he doesn’t, that shall be an enormous wage cap quantity to cope with — and two massive property going the opposite method — for the following few years.
