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Trade completed between the Florida Panthers and Chicago Blackhawks takes disastrous turn after injury

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Joshua Deeds
October 1, 2025 (9:00 PM)

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NHL Insider Andy Slater has reported that Aleksand Barkov will miss the entire season after an injury during practice; this news is terrible for Panthers fans, as they're missing both their 1st-round picks this year as they've been traded away and now their best forward.

The Florida Panthers' woes keep piling up, as it was reported this week that forward Aleksandr Barkov will miss the season due to an ACL injury that'll require surgery.

The unfortunate news keeps piling up for Panthers fans, with the fact that without Barkov, the team will be competing with the rest of the pack in the playoffs, and may not be Stanley Cup favorites after all.

What's more troubling is that the Chicago Blackhawks have the Panthers' 1st-round pick this season.

The first-round pick was received by Chicago in the Spencer Knight trade, and it's a conditional 1st-round pick. The conditions of the pick were that the Blackhawks would receive the pick if the team hadn't traded it by the last NHL Draft.

All conditions were met, and the Blackhawks will have two first-round draft picks this year.

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The Chicago Blackhawks can maximize their pipeline at the draft this year.

The Chicago Blackhawks have two 1st-round picks in what is said to be a deep 2026 NHL Draft class.

This year, we'll see Gavin McKenna as one of the many talents available that NHL general managers will try to acquire.

And now the team has two possible shots at winning the McKenna sweepstakes.

It depends on a multitude of factors, such as whether or not the team will be in the running for him this year (via the lottery), and that depends on their finish this season.

If it's another bottom-dwelling year, they could be.

Although we'd think the team will be on the fringes of a top finish in the Central, as the conditions aren't ripe for a playoff run yet. New coaches and new talent are gelling at the moment, and we have yet to see the finished product.

Previously on Chicago Hockey Insider

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman out until further notice after being slashed by a skate blade

Former 11th overall pick amongst 14 players placed on NHL waivers on October 1

Edmonton Oilers reportedly on the verge of acquiring 23-year-old disgruntled Chicago Blackhawks forward

POLL
OCTOBRE 1 \| 212 ANSWERS Trade completed between the Florida Panthers and Chicago Blackhawks takes disastrous turn after injury Do you think the Florida Panthers are a bubble team without forward Aleksandr Barkov?
Yes	121	57.1 %
No	91	42.9 %
List of polls

Trade completed between the Florida Panthers and Chicago Blackhawks takes disastrous turn after injury

NHL Insider Andy Slater has reported that Aleksand Barkov will miss the entire season after an injury during practice; this news is terrible for Panthers fans, as they're missing both their 1st-round picks this year as they've been traded away and now their best forward.

The Chicago Blackhawks can maximize their pipeline at the draft this year.

Do you think the Florida Panthers are a bubble team without forward Aleksandr Barkov?