Panthers Acquire Seth Jones From The Blackhawks

The Florida Panthers acquired defenseman Seth Jones from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for goaltender Spencer Knight, a conditional first-round pick in 2026 and Chicago’s fourth-round pick in 2026.

Chicago Blackhawks traded defenseman Seth Jones to the Florida Panthers(NHL Images).

The Blackhawks retain 26 percent of Jones’ $9.5 million average annual value through 2029-30 ($2.5 million).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Whenever we think an expensive contract is too difficult to move, two general managers find a creative way to make it work.

Jones spoke with Blackhawks management over a week ago about the possibility of a trade. The 30-year-old defenseman forced the issue earlier this week by criticizing the club’s play during a 2-1 loss to the Utah Hockey Club. He waived his no-movement clause to facilitate this move.

The Panthers had to improve their blueline depth if they intend to successfully defend the Stanley Cup this spring. Jones should address that issue. He is a big-minute, puck-moving defenseman with a right-hand shot who will line up alongside Niko Mikkola on their second defense pairing. He could also become an insurance policy for the Panthers if Aaron Ekblad departs via free agency on July 1.

Sending Knight to Chicago freed up his $4.5 million cap hit from the Panthers’ books, making it possible (with the Blackhawks retaining some salary) to acquire Jones. The deal leaves them with just over $629K in projected trade deadline cap space. Chris Dreidger will replace Knight as their backup goaltender.

Trading Jones to Florida leaves a gaping hole on the Blackhawks’ blueline while gaining another goaltender. They were using Petr Mrazek and Arvid Soderblom as their goalie tandem with Laurent Brossoit sidelined by knee surgery for the season.

Knight has another season remaining on his contract. They could demote Soderblom to their AHL affiliate, but he’s not waiver-exempt. Perhaps one of them (other than Brossoit) will be dealt to another club by the March 7 deadline.

Rangers Trade Lindgren to Avalanche In Multiplayer Deal

The New York Rangers traded defenseman Ryan Lindgren, forward Jimmy Vesey and prospect defenseman Hank Kampf to the Colorado Avalanche for center Juuso Parssinen, defenseman Calvin de Haan, a conditional 2025 second-round pick and a conditional 2025 fourth-rounder.

The Rangers retained 50 percent of Lindgren’s $4.5 million cap hit.

New York Rangers trade  defenseman Ryan Lindgren to the Colorado Avalanche (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is the fourth major trade made by the Rangers since Dec.6. The previous three deals saw Jacob Trouba shipped to Anaheim, Kaapo Kakko dealt to Seattle, and Filip Chytil sent to Vancouver.

As of March 1, the Rangers are four points out of the final wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference. However, this move suggests that general manager Chris Drury is looking ahead to next season. Lindgren and Vesey are eligible to become unrestricted free agents on July 1.

This is the second time the 23-year-old Parssinen has been traded this season. The Avalanche acquired him in December from the Nashville Predators. He has 11 points in 37 games split between those two clubs seeking checking-line duty and is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. Meanwhile, the 33-year-old de Haan is UFA-eligible this summer. He had seven points in 44 games.

The Avalanche made this move to shore up their roster for the playoffs. Lindgren is a defensive-minded blueliner who will likely slot in on their third defense pairing. Vesey could play left wing on their third or fourth line.

Nyquist to the Wild

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Nashville Predators held forward Gustav Nyquist out of the lineup for Saturday’s game against the New York Islanders. They’re discussing a trade with the Minnesota Wild, but the deal has yet to go through.

**UPDATE** The Wild acquired Nyquist from the Predators in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick. The Predators retained 50 percent of the 35-year-old forward’s $3.185 million cap hit. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wild sought affordable scoring depth ahead of the trade deadline. Nyquist has 21 points in 57 games this season with the Predators but tallied 75 points in 2023-24. Perhaps the change of scenery will boost his production.

The Athletic’s Mark Lazerus believes they need more than a third-line forward, but they’re running out of tradeable assets to add someone else. This is likely the only significant move the Wild can afford to make before March 7.

Meanwhile, this move gives the Predators an extra second-rounder in next year’s draft to retain for themselves or use as a trade chip to add an established player.