October 7, 2025, Sunrise, North Carolina, United States: Florida Panthers left wing Brad Marchand 63 and Chicago Blackhawks center Jason Dickinson 16 compete for the puck in the first period of their NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA game at Amerant Bank Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, in Sunrise, Florida. Sunrise United States - ZUMAm67_ 20251007_zaf_m67_029 Copyright: xMatiasxJ.xOcnerx
October 7, 2025, Sunrise, North Carolina, United States: Florida Panthers left wing Brad Marchand 63 and Chicago Blackhawks center Jason Dickinson 16 compete for the puck in the first period of their NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA game at Amerant Bank Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, in Sunrise, Florida. Sunrise United States - ZUMAm67_ 20251007_zaf_m67_029 Copyright: xMatiasxJ.xOcnerx
The Florida Panthers are suffering from injury troubles with just two games remaining in their 2025-26 NHL regular season campaign after missing out on the playoffs. It is understood that the Panthers stars Brad Marchand and Matthew Tkachuk - both currently unavailable - may have played the gold medal match at the 2026 Winter Olympics with injuries.
Since the Chicago Blackhawks have a top 10 protected first-round pick from the Panthers, they are keeping a keen eye on the latter’s Olympic injury crisis for draft edge. The result of the last two games for the Panthers - against the New York Rangers (Monday, April 13) and the Detroit Red Wings (Wednesday, April 15) - has the potential to make a big mark on the draft situation of the Blackhawks this summer.
After the completion of the ongoing regular season, if Florida ends up securing a place in the top 10 of the draft order, then the team will retain its pick because of the protection clause. In that case, the pick traded to Chicago will be pushed to the 2027 draft.
But in case Florida ends up outside the top 10 selection, then the Blackhawks will definitely get the Panthers’ 2026 first-round draft pick.
The Panthers currently have a 38-38-4 record (80 points) and their .500 points percentage is tied sixth-lowest in the NHL with the Seattle Kraken. Finishing among the bottom eight this year guarantees a top 10 draft selection for Florida, since just two teams behind them can jump ahead with the help of the draft lottery.
What Is The Current Status of Marchand and Tkachuk For The Panthers?
Notably, Brad Marchand has been out of competitive action since March 6, 2026 due to a lingering lower-body injury. He has been playing through hip, groin, and sports hernia injuries, and had to be taken off in March.
Marchand, 37, has scored 54 points so far for Florida. He is an integral part of the equation of success for the team, as is Tkachuk.
The latter played 30 games in a row since January 19. Last week, Tkachuk made himself unavailable for three games in a row due to the birth of his first child and his availability for the closing stages of the season isn’t confirmed yet.
With the duo's absence, and an already troubling season for Florida, it looks like the team might as well hope for a better seeding during the draft lottery. The 2026 NHL Draft will take place later in June.
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Written by
Arjun Sharma
Edited by
Afreen Kabir