Elliotte Friedman Proposes Blockbuster Trade Sending 800-Game Veteran Defenseman to Panthers
NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman put it out in the ether that the Florida Panthers could pull off a blockbuster trade for Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones.
Two weeks away from the NHL Trade Deadline, and things are starting to heat up rapidly when it comes to trade speculation. The Toronto Maple Leafs are front and center of several rumors, and big names are being thrown out left and right.
But one team who could make a big splash are the reigning Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers.
According to NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman on the latest episode of the 32 Thoughts podcast, the Panthers are potentially looking to make a big splash involving Chicago Blackhawks blueliner Seth Jones:
It's a stunning proposal that would push the Panthers into top contenders for sure, but is it feasible?
Florida Panthers To Pull Off Blockbuster For Seth Jones?
Jones has not been shy about his want for going to a contender, and has been linked to, you guessed it: The Maple Leafs.
But what if Jones instead got picked up by the Panthers? They are dealing with a potentially season-changing injury to Matthew Tkachuk, and would be an improvement over Uvis Balinskis and Niko Mikkola.
Jones has proven to be one of the NHL's better two-way defensemen, and is at the point in his career where he wants to win.
This season, Jones has six goals and 20 assists in 40 games with the Blackhawks.
For his career he has 96 goals and 335 assists in 837 games with Nashville, Columbus, and Chicago.
It's more than likely a big piece will be headed the other way such as Carter Verhaeghe as well as a bevy of picks including their 2026 first and second rounders.
But if Florida were to pick up Jones, it would be the coup of all coups, and with the Panthers pushing for a repeat; it just might be the move that puts them on the straightest path there.
![Feb 12, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Mitch Marner (16) looks on against Team Sweden in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/531990.webp "Feb 12, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Mitch Marner (16) looks on against Team Sweden in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
![Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) skates against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/531875.webp "Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) skates against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
