The Florida Panthers will be without defenceman Aaron Ekblad for their final 18 regular season games and first two playoff games after he violated the NHL/NHLPA’s performance enhancing drug program.

The Panthers saw their star defenseman Aaron Ekblad be suspended for 20 games due to doping. In short, the defenseman will miss the last 18 games of the regular season and the first two playoff games – which will likely take place at home for the Florida club.

The Athletic has live coverage of the 2025 NHL trade deadline. Seth Jones wanted out, and it didn’t take long for the Blackhawks to grant his wish. Chicago dealt the veteran defenseman to the Florida Panthers on Saturday night in exchange for a conditional 2026 first-round pick and goaltender Spencer Knights.

The Florida Panthers acquisition of Seth Jones last weekend sent a message to the NHL that the defending Stanley Cup champs were once again the team to beat.

Jones was not the right fit in Chicago, but can he rebound with a contender? That is what the Florida Panthers are betting on.

Seth Jones impressed his Florida Panthers teammates in his debut Monday night, but it’s anyone’s guess when Matthew Tkachuk will be sharing the ice with his newest teammate.

Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice had high praise for Seth Jones after his debut with the team on Monday evening.

Before Jones even stepped onto the ice Monday night, Panthers fans showed their excitement, greeting the five-time All-Star with loud applause and a warm ovation when he was introduced in the starting lineup at Florida’s Amerant Bank Arena.

Seth Jones was traded to the Florida Panthers by the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday for goalie Spencer Knight and a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Florida also received a fourth-round pick in the 2026 draft.

The Chicago Blackhawks traded defenseman Seth Jones to the Florida Panthers for goalie Spencer Knight and a conditional 2026 first-round pick, the team announced Saturday.

The defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers have acquired defenseman Seth Jones in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Bowman made many bad decisions in summer 2021; acquiring Jones was a particularly big one. With Jones now off to Florida, the Hawks have become fully Kyle Davidson's team — and it's time for Davidson to start building them up.