The Florida Panthers have acquired defenseman Seth Jones and a 2026 fourth-round pick from the Chicago Blackhawks for goalie Spencer Knight and a 2026 first-round pick. The Blackhawks also retain $2.5 million on Jones for the next five seasons. The pick slides to 2027 if Florida does not have a 2026 first-round pick.

The Panthers receive:

Jones, a 30-year-old defenseman who can log heavy minutes and contribute offensively, including on the power play. Being traded to Chicago and immediately signing an eight-year contract with a $9.5 million cap hit right before their rebuild started didn't turn out to be the best idea as far as building up his stock. In addition, Jones recently made it known that he preferred to be moved to a team closer to winning a Stanley Cup. The Blackhawks gave Jones his wish, finding a way to move him and most of his contract to a contender that could use his services without leaning on him to take on more situations than he can handle, as was the case in Chicago.

The Blackhawks receive:

Knight, a 23-year-old goalie who has been decent in a backup role to Sergei Bobrovsky this season. Knight missed all of last season while in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. Prior to that, he was considered a blue-chip goalie prospect as a first-round pick of the Panthers in 2019.

Draft capital, although they won't be able to reap the rewards immediately and may have to wait two years to even make the pick.

Getting out of the monster Jones contact at less than 50 percent retained is a small victory in itself, though.

Fantasy impact:

It seems as if the Panthers have been searching for their power-play QB all season after losing Brandon Montour and Oliver Ekman-Larsson to free agency this past offseason. Adam Boqvist and Uvis Balinskis were given some reps early in the season, but the Cats have recently settled on veteran Aaron Ekblad to retake that spot. Ekblad seems better suited for a two-way role, while durability concerns also factor in. Jones could be the guy the Panthers need on the top power play, as he has 15 power-play points for a Blackhawks team that has a surprisingly strong power play (25.5 PP%, 6^th in NHL). By comparison, the Panthers' power play is closer to the middle of the pack at 22.5 PP%.

Speaking of that strong Blackhawks power play, Alex Vlasic is in a great spot to take over Jones' role on the top power play. Vlasic has 10 PPP while playing below 50% of his team's available minutes. At only 23 years of age, Vlasic could at least keep the seat warm until either of their first-round picks Artyom Levshunov or Kevin Korchinski are NHL ready. Levshunov might have the slight advantage at the moment, as Korchinski has taken two steps back this season (for more, read this week's The Journey). Still, we're talking about 19–20-year-old defensemen here, so a lot could change.

Meanwhile, Knight has a chance to earn the starting goalie job in Chicago, although it might not be that cut and dry. Both Petr Mrazek and Laurent Brossoit are signed until the end of next season, while Arvid Soderblom will be an RFA. Brossoit is injured and may not return this season, but that still means Knight will have to fend off two other goalies. With a crowded crease, the Hawks may still move a goalie before the trade deadline. It might be better to revisit their goalie situation then, or even in the offseason when they have more options to move someone out.

Bobrovsky's heavy workload could become even heavier, with veteran Chris Driedger a likely recall to be the backup. Don't rule out a trade for a backup goalie… hey, the Blackhawks might be able to help, if the cap situation works.

Players this helps, in order:

Vlasic

Jones

Levshunov

Korchinski

Driedger

Bobrovsky

Players this hurts, in order:

Mrazek

Soberblom

Ekblad

Connor Bedard

Tyler Bertuzzi and Teuvo Teravainen

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Discuss the trade in this thread on the Forum.