On Friday, it came out that the Chicago Blackhawks' first-round pick that they received from the Florida Panthers is top-ten protected.
Ahead of the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, the Chicago Blackhawks traded Seth Jones and a fourth-round pick to the Florida Panthers in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick and Spencer Knight.
Florida was able to retain the 2026 first-round pick by giving the Calgary Flames their 2025 pick to complete the Matthew Tkachuk trade. If they didn't, this pick would slide to 2027 for Chicago. That condition was met, and no other conditions were reportedly placed on the pick.
However, 11 months later, it is now confirmed that there were actually stipulations on this first-round pick. It is top-ten protected. Shockingly, the two-time defending champions are having a down year, and this pick falling into the top-ten is possible.
If the Panthers do retain this pick, their 2027 first will transfer to Chicago. That 2027 pick is already set to go to the Boston Bruins from the Brad Marchand trade, but it will slide to 2028 for Boston if the Panthers are forced to give it to the Blackhawks.
Conditions on a pick are rarely misunderstood like this, but it can happen from time to time. Chicago's front office was always aware of it, but it was never reported properly.
Frank Seravalli was the first one to put it out there that this was a top-ten protected pick for Florida on Friday morning.
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