Grading the Chicago Blackhawk and Florida Panthers blockbuster trade headlined by Seth Jones

The hockey world is still buzzing after the blockbuster trade that went down Saturday between the Chicago Blackhawks and Florida Panthers.

Let's break it down, shall we?

Trade Details:

The first-round pick the Blackhawks get can be moved to 2027 based on certain conditions being met. Plus, the Hawks are retaining 25% of Seth Jones' $9.5 million AAV through the rest of the decade.

Trade Analysis

Chicago Blackhawks: A+

The Blackhawks did what they had to do.

They went out and got a young reliable goaltender in Spencer Knight. At 23 years old, Knight is a key piece to Chicago's rebuild and will help the Blackhawks be cup contenders. He is 12-8-1 of the season with a 2.40 goals-against average and a .907% and two shutouts.

Chicago's goaltending has improved a little bit with the addition of Spencer Knight. However, there's still room to develop. Adding a 2026 draft pick is another huge win for the Hawks. This will help the Blackhawks lay the groundwork for the future and shape their long-term success.

Florida Panthers: B

The Panthers didn't come away empty-handed in this trade. They bolstered their defense with the addition of Seth Jones, a four-time all-star who brings experience and leadership quality to Florida's blue line.

However, this season hasn't been his best. He has 27 points (7 goals, 20 assists) in 42 games played with a -18 plus/minus. He's also past his prime, which raises questions on how much of an impact he'll make.

On top of that, Cats fans are wondering: "Where does their goaltending stand without Knight?" They are going to have to rely on Sergei Bobrovsky more, which could affect their chances of repeating as Stanley Cup Champions.