Added Zito: \u201cI don\u2019t think we\u2019re quitting on anything. But we are realistic. We will deploy players\u2019 ice time and rest accordingly.\u00a0We will get with the medical staff \u2026 and will evaluate all the players, see who is healthy and who is banged up.\u201d<\/p>\n
How many key players will sit for any given day is not known but the Panthers do want to look at newcomers Cole Reinhardt and Vinnie Hinostroza, as well as potential Charlotte recalls Sandis Vilmanis, Jack Devine, and others.<\/p>\n
So, the Panthers could look a little different moving forward and their record (31-29-3) may not improve much.<\/p>\n
Which would not be a bad thing.<\/p>\n
The Panthers are out of the playoffs, this we know.<\/p>\n
But what they still have the chance for is a very high draft pick come June.<\/p>\n
Although the Zito and Maurice say there is no tank coming from the Panthers, it would not hurt the Panthers to lose a few more than they win moving forward.<\/p>\n
With the schedule the Panthers have, that\u2019s not exactly going to be hard to accomplish.<\/p>\n
But tank?<\/p>\n
\u201cYou would love to say you\u2019re being strategic, but you can\u2019t,\u2019\u2019 Zito said. \u201cThe team will play as hard as they can every single night. Whatever happens, happens. We will react when the season is over and we know, and we will plan for both scenarios.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
Of the final 19, only eight are at home; 15 of the 14 are against teams either holding a playoff spot or fighting for one.<\/p>\n
Before beating the Red Wings on Friday, the Panthers had lost four straight and nine of 11.<\/p>\n
The Panthers certainly have pride in what they do.<\/p>\n
They may lose more than they win in this final stretch, but it\u2019s not to try and improve their draft stock.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor us to come in here at the end of a road trip on a back-to-back, playing a team that\u2019s fighting for its life and get the win,\u2019\u2019 Tkachuk said after the Red Wings win.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlay spoiler. I guess that\u2019s what we\u2019re trying to do the rest of the year. I thought as a group we wanted to win, really wanted to play well for each other. That\u2019s all we can do right now.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
The Panthers traded away this year\u2019s first-round selection to the Chicago Blackhawks in last March\u2019s Seth Jones\/Spencer Knight deal.<\/p>\n
But the draft pick is top-10 protected; if the Panthers\u2019 draft pick falls within the top 10, they get to keep it (or do whatever they want with it) and Chicago would slide back and get Florida\u2019s first-round pick in 2027.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s draft is considered pretty deep so, if the Panthers stay about where they are at \u2014 the team is currently ranked 23rd in the 32-team league \u2014 they have a pretty good chance at keeping that draft pick.<\/p>\n
That would be, at least, a pretty nice consolation prize.<\/p>\n
By finishing in the bottom 10 of the league, the Panthers would also put themselves in position to move up in the draft lottery.<\/p>\n
Since a\u00a0team can only move up a maximum of 10 spots, the Panthers would at least be in the running to have the No. 1 overall pick which may be Penn State\u2019s Gavin McKenna.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Of course, if the Panthers end up with the No. 11 selection, it goes to the Blackhawks.<\/p>\n
ON DECK: GAME No. 64
\nDETROIT RED WINGS at FLORIDA PANTHERS \u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"Get](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Get-FHN.png\")
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