BREAKING NEWS: Blackhawks Captain Hints Seth Jones Exit Was More Than Just a Trade

The Chicago Blackhawks granted Seth Jones’ trade request ahead of the deadline and sent him to the Florida Panthers in a blockbuster deal.

Team captain Nick Foligno’s recent comments about the Blackhawks’ deadline moves appeared to take aim at Jones, who was dealt to the Panthers after making his feelings clear.

While Foligno’s message was a bit cryptic, and he didn’t mention Jones by name, his “distraction” remarks came just days after the defenseman was moved to Florida, where Chicago retained $2.5 million of his full $9.5 million cap hit.

“There’s a cohesiveness with the group,” Foligno said. “We’ve gotten rid of some distractions, so to speak, and now there’s a group that’s trying to get better.

“Sometimes when you make hard decisions, they end up benefiting the group, and you’re seeing that.”

#Blackhawks Captain Nick Foligno spoke on why he believes the team has meshed better as of late: pic.twitter.com/QPVzX5TyO2

— Blackhawks on CHSN (@CHSN_Blackhawks) March 11, 2025

Jones had been vocal about his displeasure with the rebuilding Blackhawks, and his trade request put the franchise in a tough position ahead of the deadline.

“We’re the exact same team right now as we were Game 1,” Jones said a week before the deadline. “It’s pretty evident out there. We haven’t made any strides to be a better, more simple hockey team, and it shows.”

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Jones’ public comments created issues within the team.

“There were some people who were really upset about it, and they said that it didn’t come out until after he indicated he wanted to leave,” Friedman said.

Florida Panthers defenseman Seth Jones (3) looks on against the Chicago Blackhawks.Navarro-Imagn Images

Chicago, which has struggled at the bottom of the Central Division for three consecutive seasons, is looking to turn the page under general manager Kyle Davidson.

Davidson, who had resisted the idea of retaining salary in a Jones deal, ultimately conceded but landed goaltender Spencer Knight, who has been impressive in net, posting a 1.98 GAA and .941 save percentage in three starts with Chicago.

Currently 20-36-9 (49 points) with 17 games left, it’s almost certain Chicago will finish either 31st or 32nd in league standings.

The team who finishes last will have a 25.5 percent chance to get the No. 1 pick in June’s draft, with the San Jose Sharks sitting dead last in the NHL, having a 17-40-9 (43 points) record.