Bold take: the Florida Panthers’ recent struggles could quietly tilt the momentum away from the Blackhawks in the upcoming drafts. But here’s where it gets controversial: the Panthers’ downturn after the Olympics could force them to shed assets sooner than expected, which would ripple all the way to Chicago.
After the Olympic break, there was chatter that key Panthers stars Matthew Tkachuk and Brad Marchand might return with some wear and tear and potentially require maintenance or time off. If true, that could influence Florida’s willingness to chase a third straight Stanley Cup by making moves before the trade deadline to stock up on talent.
Florida’s performance hasn’t improved since then. They fell again Tuesday, marking a third straight loss, and are 2-8-0 over their last ten games. They stand ten points out of a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference standings.
Unsurprisingly, the Panthers are already eyeing the 2026-27 season and have signaled a willingness to listen on pending UFAs if a good opportunity arises before Friday’s deadline. Notable names mentioned include AJ Greer and Sergei Bobrovsky. Bobrovsky carries a 16-team no-trade clause, which doesn’t guarantee a deal, but it does shape the likelihood of any movement.
Panthers Tank = Blackhawks Lose
The upshot for the Blackhawks is tight and concrete: if Florida decides to rebuild this year, Chicago could benefit. The Blackhawks hold a top-ten protected first-round pick in 2026 from the Seth Jones trade. As of the latest update, Florida sits ninth in the potential draft lottery by point percentage.
Tankathon’s draft odds place the Panthers in a position where, if they wind up inside the top ten in 2026, Chicago would receive Florida’s fully unprotected first-round pick in 2027. That would, in turn, push the Panthers’ traded 2027 pick (to Boston for Brad Marchand) into the 2028 draft.
Overall takeaway: Florida’s decision to gamble on selling assets this year could dramatically alter the Blackhawks’ draft fortunes. With top-ten protection potentially lifting, Chicago stands to gain a valuable, unprotected 2027 first-round pick from Florida, reshaping the trade-and-draft dynamics between the two teams for years to come.
What do you think? Should Florida prioritize rebuilding by selling at the deadline even if it costs them a potential playoff run, or is there a risk they’ll miss out on a deep run by chasing too many speculative moves? And will Chicago’s leverage in the 2027 pick change how either side negotiates future trades? Share your thoughts in the comments.
