Defenseman Seth Jones hoped to get a commerce away from the Chicago Blackhawks, and on Saturday night he obtained 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 choose to the Florida Panthers in trade for goalie Spencer Knight and a 2026 first-round draft.
Chicago can be retaining 25 p.c of Jones’ remaining contract via the top of the 2029-30 season.
It’s an attention-grabbing commerce for each groups, and maybe a greater than anticipated return for Chicago.
It’s also an particularly massive gamble for Florida.
The Panthers had 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 had 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 are actually getting Jones as a $7 million per yr participant, which makes it slightly extra tolerable. However there may be nonetheless some debate as as to if or not he’s even value that. For in regards to the previous three or 4 years he is been a participant whose fame — and wage — has at occasions exceeded his precise on-ice worth.
Not solely is Florida taking up that important cap hit, but it surely’s additionally buying and selling two very priceless property in Knight and a future first-round choose. 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 so far, he nonetheless has the potential and skill to be a long-term starter.
Florida has had a substantial amount of success lately in serving to defensemen flip their careers round, and Jones actually suits the mildew of gamers they search for.
With veteran Aaron Ekblad doubtlessly headed to free company after this season, they’d a necessity for a long-term reply as properly.
Now the query is whether or not or not they’ll get Jones to play as much as his wage.
If he does, it will likely be one other shrewd transfer for a group that has constantly pushed all the proper buttons lately.
If he doesn’t, that might be an enormous wage cap quantity to cope with — and two massive property going the opposite means — for the following few years.
