Blackhawks could lose 1st-round pick for this reason

The Chicago Blackhawks could end up losing a first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. As implausible as that might seem, there’s actually an interesting reason behind that statement.

The Blackhawks have two first-round picks in this year’s draft. The club has its own, while also holding the Florida Panthers’ pick. That pick came last year in the Seth Jones trade.

At the time, Florida’s first-round selection didn’t seem like much. No one really thought that the Panthers would bottom out the way they have this season. But as it stands, the Panthers are in the bottom-third of NHL standings, and don’t seem to have a shot at recovering.

While that situation should sound enticing to Blackhawks fans, there was actually a catch attached to that first-rounder. The pick is a top-10 protected pick. In other words, if this year’s pick falls in the top 10, the Blackhawks won’t get it. They’ll have to settle for the Panthers’ 2027 unprotected first-round pick.

Now, it just so happens that the Tankathon shows the Panthers on track for the 10th-overall pick. That situation would mean the Blackhawks would miss out on the pick and have to settle for next year’s pick.

Did the Panthers know they were going to fall so hard this season?

Losing out on this year’s pick wouldn’t be so bad for Blackhawks

Let’s take this thought exercise a little further. Let’s assume the Panthers end up with a top-10 pick, hence precluding the Blackhawks from receiving the pick.

That means that Chicago gets the Panthers’ 2027 unprotected pick. Let’s also assume that this is the end of the line for the Panthers dominance. Let’s say that the Cats fall even further next season.

That’s no bueno for Florida, but really, really good for Chicago. The Panthers may end up with a top-10 pick this year. But the Blackhawks could end up with a top-five or even top-three pick next year.

While most would bet on the Panthers rebounding next season, there’s no real guarantee of that. It seems Father Time has caught up to the Panthers. The grind of three prolonged playoff runs has claimed several victims, including Jones.

Plus, the club will be one year older. So, it wouldn’t be a stretch to imagine the Panthers bottoming out for good. They could even enter a rebuilding-retooling phase.

That might be getting a bit ahead of things. But the Blackhawks could certainly benefit from missing out on this year’s pick, as next year’s could be even better.