Big Key Detail of Seth Jones Panthers Trade Becomes Public a Year Later

It has been learned that the Florida Panthers are protected from a lost season if the pick they traded to the Chicago Blackhawks becomes a top-ten selection. As part of the Seth Jones trade, the Florida Panthers moved their 2026 first-round pick. But, as Frank Seravalli reports, the top-10 pick is protected. According to sources close to the team, Florida made sure to protect itself.

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The trade, executed ahead of the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, saw the Blackhawks send defenseman Seth Jones and a 2026 fourth-round pick to Florida in exchange for goaltender Spencer Knight and the 2026 first-rounder. At the time, the deal was widely viewed as cap relief for Chicago while providing the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions with a veteran puck-moving blueliner.

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The pick was previously reported as conditional, with a slide to 2027 if Florida didn’t own its own first, but the top-10 protection clause was not publicly disclosed until now—342 days after the trade. Seravalli notes, “That means if the Panthers are determined after the Draft Lottery to select in the Top 10, they will retain their 2026 pick – and could even choose to trade it elsewhere if they so desired.”

Currently, the struggling Panthers are projected near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, with their pick ranked around 10th-worst entering the Olympic break (per Tankathon and league sources). If Florida finishes with one of the top-10 lottery odds, they can choose to retain their 2026 selection, and Chicago instead receives the Panthers’ unprotected 2027 first-round pick.

It is assumed the Blackhawks were aware of this condition, but fans and analysts have been caught off guard. An unprotected or lightly protected high pick was seen as a potential lottery boon for Chicago’s rebuild. Now that the Blackhawks might not be able to take advantage of Florida’s free-fall stings.

The Blackhawks may have to shift their focus to the 2027 draft instead.

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