Seth Jones will get to wear No. 3 once again and will do so with the Florida Panthers after Saturday’s blockbuster trade.
Sometimes, when players are traded to a new team or sign as a free agent, getting their preferred number is a problem.
That was the case for Jones in Chicago.
The No. 3 belonged to Hockey Hall of Famer Pierre Pilote and was retired by the Blackhawks.
So, Jones took No. 4, the number he wore prior to playing junior hockey.
According to the Florida Panthers’ game notes for tonight’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning — and, the team’s official website — Jones is going back to the No. 3 he wore in junior.
Jones also wore No. 3 with the Nashville Predators after being the fourth-overall pick in 2013 as well as with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Panthers acquired Jones and a fourth-round draft pick from the Blackhawks in exchange for Spencer Knight and a first on Saturday night.
So, as we like to do before training camp when new players are assigned their new numbers with the Panthers, we ask: Who wore it best?
There are not many players who have worn No. 3 in Florida Panthers history.
Jones is just the eighth to do it in the team’s 31 years.
There have been some big names to wear the No. 3, however.
The New Florida Panthers Number Game: Who Wore It First, Best
The first to do it, was Paul Laus — an original member of the Panthers who never shied away from a fight.
Laus ended up staying with the Panthers for all nine of his NHL seasons.
He served as captain of the team and holds the franchise record for most penalty minutes (1,702).
It is a record almost certain to never be broken. Only Peter Worrell has over 1,000 PIM (1,375) in team history.
The best to do it was IronMan Keith Yandle, a gregarious fellow who signed as a free agent with the Panthers in 2016 and ranks third on the franchise list for points (231) by a defenseman.
The last to do it was Matt Kiersted, whom the number belonged to before Saturday’s trade went down.
Kiersted, who signed a free agent contract with Florida out of North Dakota in 2021, has played in 37 games for the Panthers.
He is currently playing with AHL Charlotte.
If Kiersted were to come back and play for the Panthers, his number will not be waiting for him.
Perhaps he will go back to wearing No. 8 which is what he wore when Yandle had the No. 3.
That is still available.
Right now.
Florida Panthers No. 3 — Paul Laus (1993-02); Karlis Skrastins (2007-09); Clay Wilson (2009-11); T.J. Brennan (2012-13); Steven Kampfer (2014-17); Keith Yandle (2016-21); Matt Kiersted (2021-23); Seth Jones (2025-present).
ON DECK: GAME No. 62
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING AT FLORIDA PANTHERS
When: Monday, 7 p.m.
Where: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise
Local TV: Scripps Sports — WSFL 39 (Miami/FtL); WHDT 9 (WPB); LAFF 36.3 (SWFla)
Streaming: Panthers+, ESPN+
Radio: WPOW 96.5-FM2; WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); SiriusXM
Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM 932, NHL App
Season Series (Lightning Lead 1-0) — At Tampa Bay: Sunday; Ap. 15. At Florida: Lightning 4, Panthers 0 (Dec. 23); Monday.
Last Regular Season: Panthers Won 2-1
All-time Regular Season Series: Florida leads 77-52-19, 10 ties
All-Time Postgame Series: Lightning Leads 2-1 (won 2021 first-round, 2022 ECS); Florida d. Lightning 4-1 in 2024 first-round.
Up Next for the Panthers: Thursday vs. Columbus Blue Jackets, 7 p.m.