Atlantic Division Rival Swoops in and Steals Seth Jones from the Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs were one of the teams interested in Seth Jones and instead, an Atlantic Division rival came in and made a huge move before the trade deadline.
Seth Jones had been showcasing a ton of anger with the Chicago Blackhawks as of late as the team continued to lose and go nowhere exceptionally fast.
However, there were rumors that the team was willing to trade him and there were all sorts of reports that the Toronto Maple Leafs were interested in potentially making a move.
Seth Jones traded to the Florida Panthers
Unfortunately for the Leafs, they were unable to get the deal done as another Stanley Cup contender got their first.
In fact, the team that won the Seth Jones sweepstakes is none other than the Florida Panthers who the Leafs are currently battling for first place in the Atlantic Division.
The Panthers did not need to give up much to acquire defenseman as it only cost them Spencer Knight and a first-round pick.
Furthermore, it has been confirmed by Chris Johnston that the Blackhawks are going to be retaining 25% of Jones' salary which is certainly going to be a relief for the Panthers.
Without the salary retention, there was no way that the Blackhawks were going to be able to make any sort of viable trade.
Things have just got more difficult for the Maple Leafs in the Eastern Conference and won has to wonder how Brad Treliving is going to respond.
Fans are going to expect him to swing for the fences in the next few days as the trade deadline is about to hit us all very hard.
Colton Parayko and Rasmus Andersson are good starts, but Seth Jones was definitely someone on a lot of people's radars.
