The Florida Panthers made a savvy move in the fine print of their blockbuster trade with the Chicago Blackhawks-one that could prove crucial as their season teeters on the edge.
As part of the deal that brought veteran defenseman Seth Jones to South Florida ahead of the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, the Panthers sent goaltender Spencer Knight and their 2026 first-round pick to Chicago. But here's the kicker: that pick is top-10 protected. And that detail, which stayed under wraps until now, could end up being a lifeline.
If the Panthers finish the season with one of the league’s 10 worst records-and right now, they’re hovering dangerously close to that line-they’ll keep their 2026 first-rounder. That’s not just a small technicality; it’s a major safeguard for a team that’s suddenly found itself in unfamiliar territory after back-to-back Stanley Cup runs.
Let’s rewind the deal for a second. Florida picked up Jones and a 2026 fourth-round pick, giving up Knight and that first-rounder in return.
On paper, it looked like a cap-clearing move for Chicago and a win-now push for Florida, adding a puck-moving defenseman with playoff experience. But the Panthers clearly made sure to hedge their bets.
If things went sideways, they weren’t going to give up a premium pick without a fight.
And now, with the Olympic break upon us, that foresight is looking smarter by the day.
According to projections, Florida’s pick currently sits around the 10th-worst mark in the league. If that holds, and the Draft Lottery doesn’t bump them out of the top 10, they’ll keep the pick. Chicago would then receive Florida’s 2027 first-rounder instead-unprotected.
This twist has caught more than a few fans and analysts off guard. The original assumption was that Chicago might be in line for a high pick as part of their rebuild-a potential cornerstone piece to pair with their young core. But with this protection clause now out in the open, that potential lottery prize might have to wait another year.
From the Panthers’ perspective, this is a case of smart asset management. Even while chasing a third straight title, they didn’t lose sight of the long game. And if the season continues to slide, they’ll be in position to retain a critical draft chip-one they could either use to reload or flip in another deal.
As for the Blackhawks, the timeline just shifted. They’re still getting a first-rounder, but if Florida keeps that 2026 pick, Chicago will have to look toward 2027 for their return. That’s not ideal, but it’s not a total loss either-just a delay in what they hoped would be a quicker payoff.
Bottom line: the Panthers protected themselves against a worst-case scenario, and that protection might just come into play. With the standings tightening and the lottery looming, this trade suddenly has new layers-and new stakes-for both franchises.