Blackhawks’ Draft Hopes Take a Hit, Bedard Snubbed Again, and Prospect Pipeline Update
Just when it looked like the Chicago Blackhawks might be in position to stack their rebuild with a pair of top-ten picks in the 2026 NHL Draft, a key detail from a trade nearly a year ago has thrown a wrench in those plans. According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, the first-rounder Chicago acquired from the Florida Panthers in the Seth Jones trade is top-ten protected. That clause hadn’t been publicly reported until now, and it changes the outlook significantly.
Let’s break this down: the Blackhawks sent Jones and a fourth-round pick to Florida last March, receiving goaltender Spencer Knight and that all-important 2026 first-rounder in return. But if the Panthers’ pick lands inside the top ten?
Florida keeps it, and the Blackhawks miss out. That’s a big swing in a draft year that’s expected to be deep with top-tier talent.
For a rebuilding team like Chicago, every premium pick counts. And while the Panthers are a playoff-caliber squad, the NHL is unpredictable - a few injuries or a cold stretch, and suddenly that pick could creep into protected territory. This revelation adds another layer of uncertainty to what had looked like a savvy long-term move by Chicago’s front office.
Bedard Left Off Olympic Roster - Again
In other Blackhawks news, Connor Bedard was once again passed over by Hockey Canada. This time, it was for a spot on the 2026 Winter Olympic team as an injury replacement for Brayden Point. The nod instead went to Carolina Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis.
For Bedard, who’s already proven he belongs among the NHL’s elite, it’s a tough pill to swallow. He’s been electric in his sophomore season, showing off the elite vision, hands, and hockey IQ that made him the No. 1 overall pick.
Yet Hockey Canada’s decision-makers continue to look elsewhere. Whether it’s a matter of experience, fit, or something else entirely, it’s clear Bedard will have to keep making his case on the ice - and he’s doing just that.
Prospect Watch: Nestrasil Sidelined, Pridham and Behm Shine
The Blackhawks’ pipeline continues to produce intrigue, even as injuries and playoff pushes shape the narrative.
Let’s start with Václav Nestrašil. The 2025 first-rounder was held out of UMass’ Friday night game against UMass-Lowell after taking a hard hit into the boards in their previous meeting.
The hit, which occurred in the first period, led to an interference penalty against Lowell’s Libor Nemec. Nestrašil didn’t return to that game and remains day-to-day.
While the injury isn’t believed to be long-term, it’s a setback for a player who’s been steadily developing his all-around game in the NCAA.
Meanwhile, over in the OHL, Jack Pridham continues to light it up. The Kitchener Rangers forward scored his 32nd goal of the season in a 6-2 win over Guelph, helping clinch a postseason berth.
Pridham also added an assist, bringing his season total to 65 points - good for third in the league. He’s now tied for second in goals and just three behind fellow Blackhawks prospect Marek Vanacker for the top spot.
That kind of internal competition is exactly what you want to see in a developing farm system.
And don’t overlook Nathan Behm out west. The Kamloops Blazers winger scored his 29th goal of the season in a 6-3 loss to Everett, pushing his point total to 71 in 50 games - fifth-best in the WHL.
Behm’s blend of scoring touch and playmaking continues to impress, and he’s doing it on a team that’s had its share of ups and downs this year. His teammate, JP Hurlbert, a projected first-rounder in 2026, leads the league with 81 points, giving Kamloops one of the most productive duos in junior hockey.
Around the League: McKenna Cleared, McAvoy Fumes, Kings’ Trade Push
Elsewhere in the NHL, some major headlines broke on Friday.
First, projected 2026 No. 1 overall pick Gavin McKenna had felony charges against him dropped by Pennsylvania prosecutors. After reviewing video evidence, officials determined McKenna didn’t act with intent to cause serious harm. It’s a significant development for a player expected to be the face of the next draft class - and for teams already eyeing the top of the board.
On the trade front, Elliotte Friedman reported that the Los Angeles Kings made a push for more than just Artemi Panarin ahead of the Olympic roster freeze. They also inquired about Rangers center Vincent Trocheck, though it’s believed Trocheck would prefer to stay on the East Coast if moved. The Kings clearly aren’t content to stand pat - they’re looking for impact pieces.
And then there’s the Charlie McAvoy situation. The Bruins defenseman took a nasty elbow from Florida’s Sandis Vilmanis earlier in the week - one that went unpunished by the NHL Department of Player Safety.
McAvoy posted a photo of his bruised and swollen face on social media, and his agent, Allan Walsh, didn’t hold back, calling out George Parros and the league for failing to act. The NHL’s inconsistency on discipline is once again under the microscope.
Final Thoughts
For the Blackhawks, the news about the Panthers’ protected pick is a gut punch - but not a knockout. This rebuild is still trending in the right direction.
Bedard’s development, a strong crop of prospects, and smart asset management continue to lay the foundation. But as Friday’s revelations remind us, the margins in the NHL are razor-thin.
One clause in a trade can shift the future. One snub can fuel a star.
And for fans in Chicago? The journey might be bumpy, but the pieces are coming together.