Blackhawks Near Trade of Defenseman Seth Jones to Panthers

The Chicago Blackhawks are finalizing a trade to send defenseman Seth Jones to the Florida Panthers in exchange for goaltender Spencer Knight and a first-round pick. Jones has reportedly agreed to waive his no-move clause for the trade, which is expected to be completed shortly before the March 7, 2025 deadline. Although the Panthers aim to strengthen their blue line after their recent Stanley Cup victory, fitting Jones's substantial $9.5 million cap hit under the salary cap will require some financial maneuvering. While Jones's desire to join a contender is clear, discussions have also revealed that the Blackhawks are open to retaining a portion of his contract to facilitate the deal. Despite intense speculation about a potential trade, some analysts suggest that moving Jones might be more feasible in the offseason due to the complexities surrounding his contract and the Blackhawks' current position in the standings. The situation remains fluid as teams navigate the trade landscape ahead of the deadline.