Frequently Asked Questions
Why didn't the Blackhawks get Florida's 2026 first-round pick from the Seth Jones trade?
The Seth Jones trade included top-10 protection on Florida's 2026 first-round pick. Since Florida finished 24th in the NHL standings (eighth-worst), their pick falls in the top 10, so they keep it and Chicago gets their unprotected 2027 first-round pick instead.
What are the chances Florida gets a top prospect like Gavin McKenna in the 2026 draft?
Florida's 2026 first-round pick has a 6% chance of landing top prospects Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg. McKenna is considered the consensus top prospect in the 2026 class.
Is Chicago's 2027 pick from Florida protected at all?
No, Chicago gets Florida's completely unprotected 2027 first-round pick. This means it could fall anywhere from first overall to 32nd depending on how Florida performs in the 2026-27 season.
Did Seth Jones help Florida win another Stanley Cup after the trade?
Yes, Seth Jones played a significant role on Florida's blue line and helped the Panthers win the 2025 Stanley Cup. The Blackhawks traded a contributor to a Cup winner and received no immediate draft capital in return.
What caused Florida to finish so low in the standings despite being back-to-back champions?
Injuries gutted the Panthers as their championship core of Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, and Sam Reinhart all missed significant time. This caused the team to crater and finish in 24th place.