NHL News
Seth Jones Trade Sets Record for Most Retained Salary in NHL History
Image © Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
On March 1, the Chicago Blackhawks traded Seth Jones and a draft pick to the Florida Panthers in exchange for Spencer Knight and a first-round pick. As part of the deal, Chicago retained $2.5 million of Jones’ salary per year for the next 5.25 seasons, adding up to a record-setting $13.125 million – the largest total dollar amount retained in a trade in NHL history. Let’s take a closer look at the record it broke, as well as who holds the records for longest retention and highest per-season retention in league history.
Breaking Down the Historic Retention
Prior to this deal, the highest total multi-year retention in a trade belonged to Kevin Hayes' contract retention by the Philadelphia Flyers, which amounted to $10.71 million over three seasons. Other notable retained contracts include Tomas Hertl ($8.67 million retained by the San Jose Sharks) and Ryan Johansen ($8 million retained by the Nashville Predators).
Looking at all retained contract trades in recent years, Jones' retention ranks high across three key categories: duration of retention, total dollars retained, and retention per season.
Historical Multi-Year Retentions
|
Player |
Years Remaining |
Retained Cap Hit per Year |
Total Retention |
|
5.25 |
$2,500,000 |
$13,125,000 |
|
|
3 |
$3,571,429 |
$10,714,287 |
|
|
6.25 |
$1,387,500 |
$8,671,874 |
|
|
2 |
$4,000,000 |
$8,000,000 |
|
|
3 |
$2,640,000 |
$7,920,000 |
|
|
4 |
$1,500,000 |
$6,000,000 |
|
|
6 |
$990,000 |
$5,940,000 |
|
|
2.25 |
$2,000,000 |
$4,500,000 |
|
|
2 |
$2,025,000 |
$4,050,000 |
|
|
4 |
$1,000,000 |
$4,000,000 |
|
|
2 |
$1,875,000 |
$3,750,000 |
|
|
4 |
$750,000 |
$3,000,000 |
|
|
2 |
$712,500 |
$1,425,000 |
|
|
3.25 |
$250,000 |
$812,500 |
The Longest-Term Retentions
Jones' 5.25 years of retention is one of the longest on record, but the actual longest belongs to Tomas Hertl (6.25 years) and Oliver Ekman-Larsson (6 years). Ekman-Larsson’s contract also resulted in one of the largest buyouts in NHL history, making him a rare case of both significant retention, followed a few years later by a massive buyout. Long-term salary retention is typically a tough pill for the team shedding contracts, as it limits financial flexibility for years to come. However, in cases like Jones and Hertl, the move was necessary to facilitate trades.
The Most Retained Salary Per Year in a Multi-Year Retention
On a per-season basis, Ryan Johansen's $4 million retention leads the pack, followed by Hayes at $3.57 million. Jones' $2.5 million per season sits below these figures but is significant due to the extended term of the retention.
Implications for Chicago and Florida
For Chicago, this move signals their full commitment to a long-term rebuild. By shedding Jones’ cap hit partially while accumulating assets from Florida, the Blackhawks continue the rebuild. On the other side, the Panthers add a veteran top-four defenseman without absorbing the full brunt of his contract. Florida, currently in a win-now mode, sees Jones as a key piece to solidify their blue line in their pursuit of a Stanley Cup.
A New Precedent in Salary Retention?
This trade raises the bar for future NHL transactions, showing that even long-term high-cap contracts can be moved with the right combination of salary retention and trade structuring. While we’ve seen significant retained salaries in shorter-term deals, Chicago's move could open the door for more long-term cap retention strategies.
As teams navigate the increasing salary cap landscape, the Seth Jones trade may serve as a blueprint for future deals involving star players on heavy contracts. One thing is certain—this deal will be remembered as a landmark moment in NHL trade history.
