Florida Panthers General Manager could lose his job because of one terrible trade
This year's upcoming draft is definitely going to be one to remember. The depth and quality of players eligible for the draft is by far the best in the past decade almost. With everyone eyeing Connor Bedard, the Florida Panthers front office must be regretting their trade at last year's trade deadline.
With the infamous trade that saw the Florida Panthers acquire Ben Chiarot from the Montreal Canadiens, Bill Zito subsequently traded Florida Panthers 1st round draft pick in 2023. The biggest issue for Zito is he didn't lottery protect his 1st round draft pick.
Zito must have believed in his team's chances to make a run to the Cup with that move as, as it stands, the Montreal Canadiens are potentially looking at 2 Top 10 picks with the way the Panthers are playing.
One can never predict the outcome of how their team will play the next season. But you have to wonder, why would a GM trade away their 1st Round draft pick in an upcoming draft as deep as this year's. It's fair to say that the Florida ownership is going to be keeping an eye on Bill Zito and fair to say that Bill Zito's job is on the chopping block if they can't manage a run to the Stanley Cup finals this year.
The other problem for the Panthers is the team doesn't have a 1st round pick until at least 2025.
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 6 | 84 ANSWERS Florida Panthers General Manager could lose his job because of one terrible trade Will Bill Zito keep his job if the Panthers miss the playoffs? | ||
| Yes, he will | 21 | 25 % |
| No, he won't | 63 | 75 % |
| List of polls | ||
![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) plays the puck and Team United States defenseman Charlie McAvoy (25) defends in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/532520.webp "Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) plays the puck and Team United States defenseman Charlie McAvoy (25) defends in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images")
![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Sam Bennett (9) and Team United States forward Brady Tkachuk (7) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/532460.webp "Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Sam Bennett (9) and Team United States forward Brady Tkachuk (7) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images")
