Defenseman Seth Jones got what he wanted. Instead of playing out the string yet again with the Blackhawks, Jones was dealt Saturday to the defending Stanley Cup-champion Panthers, who were a point off the Atlantic Division lead through Sunday.

Veteran defenseman Seth Jones impressed his Florida Panthers teammates in his debut Monday night, a 2-1 victory over their in-state rival Tampa Bay Lightning in which he played just under 23 minutes and nearly scored a goal for the Stanley Cup champions.

After being acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks in a trade for goaltender Spencer Knight and a conditional 2026 first-round pick on Saturday, Jones, who also came packaged with a 2026 fourth-round pick, is now willing to do whatever it takes to get a taste of that success.

The reigning Stanley Cup champions have acquired defenseman Seth Jones and a 2026 fourth-round pick from the Blackhawks, Florida announced Saturday night. Chicago, in return, is getting a 2026 ...