The Florida Panthers acquired defenseman Seth Jones and the Chicago Blackhawks’ fourth-round selection in the 2026 NHL Draft in exchange for goaltender Spencer Knight and Florida’s conditional first-round selection in the 2026 NHL Draft, the team announced March 2, 2025.
Florida Panthers President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Bill Zito announced the transaction. Jones, 30, had recorded 27 points on seven goals and 20 assists in 42 games for the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2024-25 season, leading the team’s defensemen in goals, assists and points.
Jones also led the Chicago Blackhawks with an average of 24:30 of ice time per game. He ranked third on the team in blocked shots with 83 and takeaways with 18, and he had served as an alternate captain since the 2022-23 season.
Seth Jones brings extensive NHL experience
The 6-foot-4, 213-pound defenseman from Arlington, Texas, had totaled 432 points on 97 goals and 335 assists in 839 NHL games with the Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets and Nashville Predators. His 432 points ranked 13th among NHL defensemen since he entered the league in the 2013-14 season.
Jones had averaged more than 24 minutes of ice time per game in each of his previous eight seasons and had led his teams’ defensemen in points in seven of those eight seasons. He had been selected as an NHL All-Star five times and was named to the NHL Second All-Star Team in 2017-18, when he recorded a career-high 57 points on 16 goals and 41 assists in 78 games.
Jones had appeared in 37 Stanley Cup playoff games, recording 24 points on five goals and 19 assists. He held the Columbus Blue Jackets’ single-playoff-year records for goals, assists and points by a defenseman, with three goals, six assists and nine points in 2018-19.
Before his NHL career, Jones played one Western Hockey League season with the Portland Winterhawks in 2012-13. He recorded 56 points on 14 goals and 42 assists, helped Portland win the WHL championship and received the Jim Piggott Trophy as the WHL Rookie of the Year.
Jones also played two seasons with the United States National Team Development Program from 2010-11 through 2011-12, recording 26 points in 48 total USHL games. He won gold medals with the United States at the 2013 IIHF U20 World Junior Championship and the 2011 and 2012 U18 World Junior Championships.
Jones was named best defenseman at the 2014 IIHF World Championship after leading tournament defensemen with nine assists and 11 points. The Nashville Predators selected him fourth overall in the first round of the 2013 NHL Draft.
Bill Zito thanks Spencer Knight
Zito praised Jones’ experience and leadership following the acquisition. “Seth is an elite veteran defenseman and a proven leader in our league,” said Zito. “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.”
Zito also thanked Knight for his contributions to the Florida Panthers organization and the South Florida community. “On behalf of the entire Florida Panthers organization, we would like to thank Spencer for his many contributions to our club and the South Florida community both on and off the ice,” said Zito. “He is a first-class individual and we wish him success in his young professional career.”
Source: Original report