Panthers general manager Bill Zito received the No. 9 pick in the NHL draft lottery, marking the first time the Panthers have had a first-round pick since 2021. The Toronto Maple Leafs won the lottery and will likely select Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg. The Panthers have not picked in the first round since 2021, largely using their top picks as trade pieces to build their roster. The team has also traded several top players, including Sam Reinhart, Claude Giroux, and Matthew Tkachuk, and Seth Jones. The NHL draft will be held in Buffalo on June 26 and 27.