Florida Panthers #1 Pick History
August 8th, 2020
A week ago, excitement filled the air in South Florida, and Toronto. The Florida Panthers finally had a shot to get into the Playoffs, something they haven’t done since 2016. There Opponents this time around? The same as the one in 2016. the New York Islanders.
Fast Forward to today, and the once buzz in South Florida is all gone. The panthers, after their 5-1 loss Friday, are officially eliminated from Playoff Contention. All hope is not lost. It’s 2020, of course a team who couldn’t win a qualifying series should get payed back with a 1ST PICK.
The franchise, from ownership to fans, were expecting a pick between 16-31, and using the word “disappointment” to describe this seasons outcome would be an understatement.
The Panthers, Rangers, Penguins, Predators, Wild, Oilers, Jets and the loser of game 5 between the Blue Jackets and Leafs, all have a 12.5% chance of landing of the 1st overall pick. This Phase 2 Lottery will take Place Monday, August 10th at 6pm eastern time.
The Panthers, due to their history of lackluster play, are no strangers when it comes to owning a top 3 pick. The Cats have held a top 3 pick in 7 out of their 27 years . That’s about a top 3 pick every 3.85 years.
Every top 3 Florida Panthers pick is listed below:
1994 1st Pick Ed Jovanovski
2002 2nd Pick Jay Bouwmeester
2003 3rd Pick Nathan Horton
2010 3rd Pick Eric Gudbranson
2011 3rd Pick Jonathan Huberdeau
2013 2nd Overall Pick Aleksander Barkov
2014 1st Pick Aaron Ekblad
Every year The Florida Panthers won the 1st Pick:
2002 (Traded Pick to Columbus)
2003 (Traded Pick to Pittsburgh)
2014
Adding to injury, each year that the panthers won the 1st pick, they didn’t get the best player in the draft. In 2002, they could have had Rick Nash. In 2003, they could have taken Marc-Andre Fluery. In 2014, they could have taken Leon Draisaitl.
Should fans keep their hopes up about winning the 1st pick? Absolutely not.
Will they? Absolutely.
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