Sunrise, Fla. — Florida Panthers Hockey Operations president and general manager Birchit announced today that the club has acquired defensive man 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.
“Seth is an elite veteran defenseman and a proven leader in our league,” Jeet said. “He has been one of the most consistent players of the past decade and is a reliable mainstay on both sides of the pack, helping the club continue to compete at the highest level.”
“On behalf of the entire Florida Panthers organization, I would like to thank Spencer for his many contributions to the club and the South Florida community, both on and off the ice,” Zito said. “He is a first-class individual and I hope he will succeed in his young professional career.”
The 30-year-old Jones skated in 42 games for the Chicago Blackhawks in 2024-25, scoring 27 points (7-20-27) and pacing the Chicago Blue Liners with goals, assists and points. He led the Blackhawks in average time on ice per game (24:30), ranking third in block shots (83) and takeout (18) and served as the Blackhawks alternative captain since 2022-23.
The 6-foot-4, 213-pound native from Arlington, Texas accumulated 432 points (97-335-432) in an 839-game NHL career between Chicago (2021-22-2024-25), Columbus Blue Jacket (2015-16-2020-21), and the Nashville Preditors (2013-14-2015-16).
Since joining the NHL in the 2013-14 season, Jones’ 432 points ranked 13th in the NHL Blue Liner. He averaged over 24 minutes of ice times per game for each of his final eight campaigns, and paced his team’s blue liner with points in seven of his final eight campaigns. Jones is an NHL All-Star (2022-23, 2019-20, 2018-19, 2017-18, 2016-17) and was named the NHL’s second All-Star team in 2017-18 after garnering a career-high 57 points (16-41-57) in 78 games.
The 12-season NHL veteran appeared in 37 career Stanley Cup playoff games with 24 points (5-19-24), and in one playoff year (2018-19) the defender owns Blue Jackets record (3) and points (9) with assists (6) and points (9).
Before his NHL career, Jones skated in one Western Hockey League (WHL) season (2012-13), producing 56 points (14-42-56). He helped the Winterhawks win the WHL Championship, winning the Jim Piggott Trophy as WHL’s Rookie of the Year, leading all league rookies with assists. He also scored 26 points (5-21-26) in a total of 48 USHL games and skated for two seasons (2010-11-2011-12) in the US National Team Development Program (NTDP).
On the international stage, Jones represented the United States in multiple tournaments, winning gold medals in both 2011 and 2012 at the 2013 IIHF U20 World Junior Championship and the U18 World Junior Championship.
Jones was originally selected in the first round (fourth overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft by the Nashville Predators.
The Florida Panthers join in the action this season! 2024-25 Single Game Tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased from SeatGeek.com or the Amerant Bank Arena Box Office (Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm). Fans interested in season ticket membership for the 2025-26 season are encouraged to join the waitlist by clicking here to visit floridapanthers.com/tickets or calling Puckline (954.835.puck).
