The Florida Panthers shocked the hockey world by trading for defenseman Seth Jones on Saturday night.
Saturday night is typically designated for the Toronto Maple Leafs playing on Hockey Night in Canada, so everything already felt off with them not playing, but the Panthers added to that sentiment by making a huge trade for Jones.
The Panthers took a huge risk by trading their future number-one goalie in Spencer Knight and a first-round pick, but they clearly got the defenseman they wanted. Jones will make $7.125M AAV until 2030, so this isn't a short-time investment, either. With Aaron Ekblad set to become a UFA this offseason, It feels like the Panthers may look at Jones as his replacement.
Let's look at this trade from a Leafs perspective. If this same trade was executed by Toronto, it would have been Joseph Woll (or Artur Akhtyamov) and a first-round pick for Jones. Woll is a little older, but him and Knight make a similar amount of money, with a similar cap-hit, so I think Chicago would have taken this offer as well.
Leafs Should Have Traded Woll for Jones
I know that you'd have to make another move to make the money work, but I would be fine with trading Woll and a first for Jones. As much as I really like Woll when he's healthy, he hasn't shown that he can be healthy in the biggest moments. I know that it's easier to trade Knight when you have Sergei Bobrovsky, but at this point in the season, I would be fine with riding Stolarz over Woll.
Although Jones is arguably below-average defensively, he is above-average is every other category. The former No. 4 overall pick is someone who can play 25 minutes per night, but most importantly help provide offense from the blue-line. The Leafs biggest struggle right now is a defenseman who can eat minutes and score on the power-play, which are two things that Jones does great.
Seth Jones, acquired by FLA, is a minute-munching defenceman who is strong on the puck, big, and above-average in almost every facet of the game. His Achilles hill the past five years has been agility which makes him vulnerable defending the rush. pic.twitter.com/uzpWlmchff
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) March 2, 2025
You have to make bold moves in the NHL and unfortunately GM Brad Treliving has been unable to do so, during his career. When 3PM on March 7 comes around, I don't see a world where the Leafs trade for a player as good as Jones, and instead see them acquiring small pieces that aren't difference makers.
It's clear that Jones was frustrated with how the rest of his team was playing in Chicago and needed a fresh start. I can't think of a better place for him to shine than Florida, especially on a team that already knows how to win and really wish the Leafs would've have made this move instead.
This is a great move for the Panthers and I really hope that the Leafs can learn from this acquisition and make one themselves, but unfortunately I don't think that will happen.