This article states that the 2025 1st round pick is top-10 protected, not top-16 protected.
PuckPedia also confirms - the 2025 FLA 1st is top-10 protected, not top-16
The concern around Florida not being good next year is a reach. They’re a good team. The risk is there, but it is not excessive.
(Dang that Monahan to Montreal trade was brain dead work by Tree regardless of the conditions though. Spending a 1st to dump 1 season of Monahan was moronic)