Seth Jones Traded to Maple Leafs Division Rival in Blockbuster Deal

Defenseman Seth Jones has been traded to the Florida Panthers along with a 2026 fourth round pick in exchange for Goaltender Spencer Knight and a first round pick in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft.

Chicago is retaining 26.3% in the deal, according to Chris Johnston.

According to Pierre LeBrun, the trade pick is a 2026 first round pick, but if Florida does not have a pick that year, it will be transfered to 2027.

Florida does not currently have a first round pick in 2026, but does in 2027.

Jones, 30, has seven goals and 27 points in 42 games this season for Chicago.

The top North American skater in the 2013 NHL Draft by NHL Central Scouting, Jones was drafted by the Nashville Predators with the fourth overall pick.

Jones is in the third year of an eight-year contract signed until 2030 at $9.5M annually.

Jones is in his 12th NHL season, having played with the Predators, Columbus Blue Jackets, & Blackhawks.

Knight has a 12-8-1 record with the Florida Panthers this season in a backup role to Stanley Cup winning backstopper Sergei Bobrovsky.

A star at Boston College, was named Hockey East Player of the Year in 2021. Knight has been considered one of the top young goalies since being drafted.

Knight, 23, was a first round pick of the Florida Panthers in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, 13th overall.

In Chicago, Knight will likely contend for the starting job with the Blackhawks alongside fellow youngster Arvid Soderblom.

Elliotte Friedman recently predicted correctly that Jones could be a target of the Florida Panthers, a move that has now come to fruition.