Defenseman Seth Jones hoped to get a commerce away from the Chicago Blackhawks, and on Saturday night he bought 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 trade for goalie Spencer Knight and a 2026 first-round draft decide.
Chicago can also be retaining 25 p.c of Jones’ remaining contract by the tip of the 2029-30 season.
It’s an attention-grabbing commerce for each groups, and maybe a greater than anticipated return for Chicago.
It is usually 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 convey some offense to their lineup. However his contract has all the time 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 appeared to be unmovable.
However with Chicago retaining a portion of that remaining contract, the Panthers are actually getting Jones as a $7 million per 12 months participant, which makes it a bit of 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 status — 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 invaluable property in Knight and a future first-round decide. Knight remains to be solely 23 years previous and can get an opportunity to tackle an even 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 thus far, he nonetheless has the potential and talent to be a long-term starter.
Florida has had a substantial amount of success in recent times 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 effectively.
Now the query is whether or not or not they will get Jones to play as much as his wage.
If he does, it is going to be one other shrewd transfer for a group that has constantly pushed all the proper buttons in recent times.
If he doesn’t, that can be an enormous wage cap quantity to take care of — and two massive property going the opposite manner — for the following few years.
