Blackhawks Gain Valuable Asset in Jones Trade with Panthers

Despite trade drama, the Blackhawks come out on top in the Seth Jones deal with the Florida Panthers.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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The Chicago Blackhawks traded defenseman Seth Jones to the Florida Panthers, receiving goaltender Spencer Knight and a conditional 2026 first-round pick in return. While the condition on the draft pick has caused some drama, with the Panthers struggling this season, the Blackhawks still come out as the clear winners in the trade.

Why it matters

The Blackhawks were able to move on from a stale situation with Seth Jones, who wanted a fresh start, and acquired a potential long-term answer in net with Spencer Knight. The conditional first-round pick also gives the Blackhawks a valuable asset that could be a high draft selection, depending on the Panthers' performance.

The details

In the trade, the Blackhawks sent Jones and a 2026 fourth-round pick to the Panthers, while receiving Knight and the conditional 2026 first-rounder. The condition on the draft pick is that it is top-10 protected, meaning if the Panthers' pick lands in the top 10, it will slide to 2027. This has caused some drama, as the Panthers have struggled this season and now sit outside of a playoff spot.

  • The trade was completed on February 8, 2026.
  • The condition on the 2026 first-round pick was not revealed until Friday, nearly a year after the trade was made.

The players

Seth Jones

A defenseman who was traded from the Blackhawks to the Panthers.

Spencer Knight

A 26-year-old goaltender who was acquired by the Blackhawks in the trade with the Panthers.

Kyle Davidson

The general manager of the Chicago Blackhawks, who is tasked with cashing in the draft pick and helping Knight grow into the starting role.

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What they’re saying

“Chicago's bigger win was getting out from a situation that had gone stale. Jones wanted a new start, and you could feel it before the deadline noise even peaked.”

— Sam Walker, Chicago Hockey Insider (hawksinsider.com)

“Blackhawks fans are tired of 'patience,' but this is the kind of move that finally feels like a real plan.”

— Sam Walker, Chicago Hockey Insider (hawksinsider.com)

What’s next

The Blackhawks will look to capitalize on the draft pick they acquired, whether it lands in 2026 or 2027, and continue to build around Spencer Knight as their goaltender of the future.

The takeaway

Despite the drama surrounding the condition on the draft pick, the Blackhawks came out as the clear winners in the Seth Jones trade with the Florida Panthers. They were able to move on from a stale situation, acquire a potential long-term answer in net, and add a valuable draft asset that could be a high selection depending on the Panthers' performance.