NHL Draft: Florida Panthers Pick 9th. Or Will They Trade It?

This year’s pick only belongs to the Panthers because it landed in the top 10; it had already been traded to Chicago.

This will be, barring a trade, Florida’s only first-round pick until 2029.

Chicago will take next year’s selection, with Boston getting Florida’s first-rounder in 2028 as part of the Brad Marchand deal.

But do not be surprised if the Panthers actually use this selection.

Florida’s amateur scouting has been very strong this decade with the Panthers finding some gems with whatever draft picks they have had.

Samoskevich, for instance, is going into his third full-time NHL season after a standout career at the University of Michigan.

Of course, the Panthers are always looking to improve their current roster and there will certainly be some pretty good players on the trade market that Zito & Co. will have interest in.

If Florida had won one of the top two picks in the draft, odds are they were making that selection.

But No. 9?

One has to think it is in play.

Hey, with a couple of second round picks, perhaps Zito could use No. 9 to move up on draft day and get a player they really like.

It has been a while since the Panthers have had an interesting first day of the NHL draft.

Perhaps one is coming.

ON DECK: FLORIDA PANTHERS OFFSEASON

• NHL Draft: June 26-27; KeyBank Center, Buffalo
• **NHL Free Agency:**Opens July 1
• Panthers Development Camp: Late June/Early July; IcePlex, Fort Lauderdale
• **Panthers Rookie Camp/Tournament:**Late August/Early Sept.; Site TBA
• Panthers Training Camp: Early/Mid September; Fort Lauderdale
• 2026-27 NHL Season Opens: Late September; Site, Opponent TBA

This article: NHL Draft: Florida Panthers Pick 9th. Or Will They Trade It? originally appeared on Florida Hockey Now.