Following a big trade in the NHL, blueliner Seth Jones joined the Florida Panthers from the Chicago Blackhawks in hopes of helping the reigning Stanley Cup champions during their defense of the championship. After his first practice in Sunrise, Jones dropped a major admission, taking a shot at Connor Bedard’s Hawks.
Jones had long expressed a desire to play for a contender in the NHL, and the rebuilding Blackhawks were far from competing. As a result, the 30-year-old defenseman requested a trade— a move that made sense for Chicago, as it allowed them to free up significant cap space by moving Jones’ hefty contract.
Finally, Jones was traded to Florida, in exchange for goaltender Spencer Knight and a conditional first round selection in the 2026 NHL entry Draft.The Blackhawks received a solid return for a player who made it clear he intended to play elsewhere, while the Panthers sacrificed a portion of their future for the present.
Florida’s ‘win-now’ approach aligns with Jones’, who recognizes his championship window may be closing soon. At the end of the day, it seems like a win-win deal for both sides. Upon arriving in Sunrise, Jones made an honest confession, praising the Panthers while taking a shot at his former team, with whom he couldn’t experience any success, despite playing alongside generational talent, Bedard.
Seth Jones #4 of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrates after scoring a goal against the Nashville Predators during the second period at the United Center on February 07, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
“When you look at the standard in the NHL, this is it,” Jones said about the Florida Panthers, via the Panthers’ official account. “The way they play, like I said, I keep saying the style of hockey, it’s physical, it’s in your face. Everyone works hard on both sides of the puck, and that’s the most important thing for me.
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“You can trust everyone out there, all five guys are doing their job, and they you’ve got [Sergei Bobrovsky] on net. There is really not a stone left unturned in here. I’m super happy I can come in and be a part of the culture.”
Moving on from Chicago
Jones gave it his all for the Blackhawks during his four years with the organization, but his frustration with the team’s direction became evident in recent months. The 2-1 loss to the Utah Hockey Club proved to be the straw that broke the camel’s back, and Jones ultimately gave up on the team.
Connor Bedard #98 of the Chicago Blackhawks looks on against the New York Rangers during the third period at the United Center on January 05, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
As he steps into a new challenge in his career, Jones seems to have rediscovered his love for the sport, which had become a burden during his final days in Chicago. “I want to play playoff hockey, and this is the No. 1 destination to do that,” Jones firmly commented at his introductory press conference.
“It was a tough four years in Chicago. Not what I envisioned when I signed there,” Jones confessed, via Miami Herald’s George Richards. “I was just putting so much on myself, trying to do it all. That wasn’t the right thing, but it was hard mentally day-to-day. I’m happy I can come here, trust all the players around me and just win.”
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Winds of change
Meanwhile, in Chi-Town, Bedard and the Blackhawks are excited about their newest addition, Spencer Knight. In fact, the 23-year-old goalie will make his debut in the Blackhawks’ crease as they host the Los Angeles Kings tonight.
