Panthers’ Seth Jones ‘taken aback’ by Blackhawks’ Nick Foligno’s post-trade swipes, but no ill will

Posted October 06, 2025 3:12 pm

By Mark Lazerus and Scott Powers

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Seth Jones was a well-liked teammate in Chicago. He was the Blackhawks’ best and most established player for significant stretches over four seasons. He showed up, he worked hard, he played hard. Even his contract, which seemed so onerous when he first signed it, never really hamstrung general manager Kyle Davidson, who wasn’t spending to the salary cap, anyway.

But Jones also wanted out. Didn’t want to remain a part of a (very) long-term rebuild, didn’t want to suffer the losing anymore. He made his desire to be traded public — giving honest answers to difficult questions — and that clearly didn’t sit well with his teammates, particularly captain Nick Foligno, who took several not-so-veiled swipes at his former teammate (in Columbus and Chicago) after Jones was dealt to the Florida Panthers ahead of the trade deadline.

We’ve gotten rid of some distractions.

Sometimes, when you make hard decisions, they end up benefiting the group.

Everyone here is pulling on the same rope (now).

And yes, Jones heard them.

“I was taken aback,” Jones said Monday ahead of Tuesday’s season-opener against the Blackhawks. “But at the same time, I think it was difficult when I was asked comparisons and all this stuff. It was really hard for me to answer those questions. Maybe I said some things that maybe came out wrong. I never meant any disrespect to that organization or the players there. … We were trying our hardest every night. We were trying to win hockey games, and guys are laying their body on the line and doing everything for their careers.”

Jones said he talked to Foligno about it, and Foligno had no ill will toward Jones on Monday.

“There was none, zero,” Foligno said. “I don’t really know if there was any. I could just see his heart wasn’t in it at the end. I give him a ton of credit, because it wasn’t an easy situation that he was in. Seth Jones is a really good friend of mine. … For him, as a friend, it was hard to see him not enjoying the game like he used to. So I’m really happy that he seems to have found that joy again. It sucks it’s not here, but he deserves to play hockey and be happy with where he’s at. I think he’s found that. I couldn’t be more thrilled for him as a friend.”

In the end, the trade seemed to work out best for all parties. The Blackhawks moved most of Jones’ salary (they’ll still be liable for $2.5 million a year through 2029-30), and got a potential franchise goaltender, Spencer Knight, in the deal. And Jones was an instant success in Florida, playing a massive role in the Panthers’ second straight Stanley Cup championship.

“Yeah, winning the Stanley Cup, for sure, is the best-case scenario,” Jones said with a chuckle. “It didn’t matter if it was Florida or wherever else. I’m happy I’m here. It’s a great team. It’s great guys off the ice. I felt like I’ve been here forever when I got here.”

Panthers coach Paul Maurice marveled at how quickly Jones found a home in Florida — especially once Aaron Ekblad returned from suspension for Game 3 of the first round of the playoffs.

“As soon as Aaron comes back, everybody’s in the right pairs and (Jones) took off for the playoffs,” Maurice said. “There is a learning curve — and this isn’t just the Florida Panthers, every team has their own systems, their own style. He adapted. I thought it would take a year. I thought it took Aaron Ekblad — similarly, a very high pick, a very talented player — it almost took him the first year before he adapted to what we were trying to do. Seth took much shorter.”