Will Florida make the playoffs?

[cam_calderon]

Since there's not that much news around today thought this might be worth a discussion. The back to back Cup champs are a very good chance of missing the playoffs.

They're in real trouble but also getting some players back, while some stars are going to Milan. The box score may be a tad misleading but the Cats got destroyed 6-1 by Tampa in their final game before the break. Will have to leapfrog some decent teams, at least on paper, in Ottawa, Toronto and Washington.

Mods maybe a poll?

[Knut]

They will probably end up 10th, keep their first and win the lotto

[Lanny_McDonald]

No.

[1991 Canadian]

Hopefully no. They've done their job to keep the Oilers from winning the cup the past two years. They can fade off into obscurity again.

[Vinny01]

Based on how Florida and NJ are playing this year it is too bad their picks conveyed last year instead of this year. Having no firsts last year would have stung but having 4 this year including 3 in the lottery would be fun

[Itse]

Last in division, 8 points out, 25 games to go.

Not happening.

[Matty81]

I don't see it and I think Barkov is hurrying back and risking another major injury when you see how quickly he is skating after the knee reconstruction. You can't really rush that healing no matter how fit you are. I think if they keep slipping out of it and he gets shut down it would be the best thing for Barkov.

It's too bad to see Chicago with what will probably be another top 15 pick in hand though, they've had more than enough swings at the upper end of the draft already, they are turning into the Oilers a bit and are just a total welfare case. I hate when teams have had like 10 1sts in a 3 year period including very top picks and they keep hoarding 1sts instead of using them to acquire quality players around their top picks. At some point if you're not even trying to help yourself the draft tap should get cut off somehow.

[Kipper_3434]

No they won't. Wouldn't be surprised if they get more points than the Oilers.

[Saqe]

No. The injuries did them in this year. I thought they would be fine if they could hang on until Tkachuk comes back which they did but then they lost Jones in early January, Marchand the last couple of weeks and even Lundell has missed games which has never happened before.

Get everyone back healthy and reload next year.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Based on how Florida and NJ are playing this year it is too bad their picks conveyed last year instead of this year. Having no firsts last year would have stung but having 4 this year including 3 in the lottery would be fun

Perhaps but getting Reschney with the NJ pick was pretty damn good.

[cam_calderon]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Perhaps but getting Reschney with the NJ pick was pretty damn good.

Have a look at Marky's stats this season. Bahl really coming into his own, Reschny is even giving a depressive cynic like me hope.

Absolute slam dunk by the Conman.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Perhaps but getting Reschney with the NJ pick was pretty damn good.

Super happy with Reschny but with that said the Devils pick is 7 and has potential to be 1 with the lottery. That would be very exciting and also in Lawrence territory for the draft. Also having zero 1sts last year and missing the playoffs would have really pissed a lot of people off but had those picks not conveyed we would be looking at drafting 4, 7, 11, 20th without any changes in the lottery/standings.

[CalgaryFan1988]

I know people are worried about "who will stop the Oilers", but I just can't see the Oilers coming out of the West this year. They had a horseshoe last season and are much worse this year.

Can't see the Panthers making it, but a couple teams above them are overachieving.

[cam_calderon]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

I know people are worried about "who will stop the Oilers", but I just can't see the Oilers coming out of the West this year. They had a horseshoe last season and are much worse this year.

Can't see the Panthers making it, but a couple teams above them are overachieving.

The Pacific is weak so they will very likely win rounds 1 and 2 in my opinion. Central gets a little trickier but I'm not confident if it's Dallas again, our old friend has a case of the Markstroms against the scum. Will have to be Mackinnon and Makar.

If they do get to the finals, the east is also weak aside from Tampa.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by Knut

They will probably end up 10th, keep their first and win the lotto

I think Chicago would get 1st OV then.

They can trade it though and the condition is Chicago gets the 1st in 27.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

I think Chicago would get 1st OV then.

They can trade it though and the condition is Chicago gets the 1st in 27.

It belongs to Chicago unprotected.

Florida would have had to trade it prior to the 2025 draft.

[MissTeeks]

Frank today said it was top 10 protected.

https://twitter.com/user/status/2019795168925241700

According to a league source, the exact language of the transaction is this:

Chicago will receive Florida's 1st Round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, provided, however, in the event: (i) such pick is transferred to Calgary (pursuant to the conditions of an earlier trade) or (ii) such pick is a top 10 pick (following the determination of the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery results), then Florida will instead transfer their own 1st round pick in 2027 NHL Draft to Chicago in lieu of their own 1st round pick in 2026 NHL Draft.

If neither of the conditions ((i) or (ii)) occur, Chicago shall receive Florida's 1st round pick in 2026 NHL Draft.

In this case, Florida already satisfied the first condition: their 2025 pick was transferred to Calgary from the Matthew Tkachuk trade and Calgary selected Cullen Potter from Arizona State.

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.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

Frank today said it was top 10 protected.

https://twitter.com/user/status/2019795168925241700

Thank you, that’s the first time I’ve seen that reported anywhere.

[blankall]

Is Barkov supposed to be back after the break? If so, I think he has a chance. Yes 8 points is a hill to climb, but they've been missing their two best players for most of the season.

Still think it's pretty unlikely they make it though. Even if Barkov comes back, it may take some time to adjust, and they can't really afford to lose even 3-4 games during that adjustment period.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Two new Stanley Cup finalists this year.