The Panthers are doing everything they can to defend their title.
The reigning Stanley Cup champions have acquired defenseman Seth Jones and a 2026 fourth-round pick from the Blackhawks, Florida announced Saturday night.
Chicago, in return, is getting a 2026 conditional first-round pick and goaltender Spencer Knight.
Jones, a four-time All-Star, expressed frustration with the Blackhawks last with during an interview with The Athletic in which he said he would be willing to waive his no-movement clause.
“I’ve been here the last four years through probably the darkest times the Blackhawks have seen for a while,” Jones told the outlet. “I think things are moving up, they are moving forward. But I think my timeline might be different than Kyle [Davidson[ and Norm’s [Maciver] and the Blackhawks. There’s nothing against anybody. I’m not holding it against anybody what they decided to do here. Sometimes it’s not in everyone’s plans.”
The 30-year-old, 12-year NHL veteran will now go from the second-worst team in the Western Conference to the second-best squad in the East.
In 42 games this year, Jones has seven goals and 20 assists with a team-leading average ice time of 24:30.
His 15 power-play points were also tops on the Blackhawks.
“Seth is an elite veteran defenseman and a proven leader in our league,” president of hockey operations and GM Bill Zito said after the deal became official. “He has been one of the most consistent players of the past decade serving as a reliable workhorse on both sides of the puck, and he will help our club continue to compete at the highest level.”
Knight, a first-round pick in 2019, has a career .906 save percentage in 80 games played (70 starts).
