Panthers Acquire Defenseman Seth Jones, Send Goaltender Spencer Knight to Blackhawks

The Florida Panthers have acquired defenseman Seth Jones from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for goaltender Spencer Knight, and a conditional first-round pick, the Florida Panthers announced on Saturday . 

The Panthers will also be getting a 2026 fourth-round pick back from the Blackhawks in the deal.

Jones, 30, is on year 3 of an 8-year deal that carries an AAV of $9.5M. The Blackhawks are retaining approximately 26% of Jones’ salary, per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. 

“Seth is an elite veteran defenseman and a proven leader in our league,” said Panthers GM Bill Zito after the trade. “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.”

A  2013 fourth-overall pick by the Nashville Predators, Jones has appeared in 839 NHL games, scoring 97 goals and 335 assists for 432 points. In 42 games this season with the Blackhawks, Jones recorded 27 points (7-20-27). The 6-foot-4 blueliner has been named an NHL All-Star five times in his career. 

Knight — the Panthers 13th overall pick in 2019 — went 44-25-7 in 80 career appearances (70 starts) with the team, poosting a 2.76 GAA, .902 save percentage and 3 shutouts. This season he went 12-8-1 with a 2.40 GAA, percentage.

“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,” Zito said of Knight. “He is a first-class individual and we wish him success in his young professional career.”

Knight was in the second season of a 3-year deal, with an AAV of $4.5M. He will be a restricted free agent at the end of his contract.