The Florida Panthers advancing in the Stanley Cup playoffs has moved the team closer to potentially fulfilling a condition tied to a trade for Brad Marchand. The Panthers defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in their first-round series, progressing to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The Bruins traded Brad Marchand to the Florida Panthers before the recent NHL trade deadline. The return for Boston was a conditional 2027 second-round draft pick.
The condition allows that selection to become a first-round pick if two specific criteria are met: Florida must advance two rounds in the current playoffs, and Marchand must play at least 50% of the Panthers' postseason games.
The Panthers accomplished the first part of the two-round advancement condition Wednesday when they closed out their series against the Lightning in five games.
Brad Marchand participated in all five games of the first-round series, recording four assists during that time.
For the trade condition regarding playing time to be met, Marchand must continue to play in a sufficient number of games as the playoffs continue. In the upcoming second-round series, he would need to play in at least one game if the series extends to six or seven games to maintain a play percentage above 50%. If the Panthers finish the series in fewer games, his playing time in the first round already secures this part of the condition.
The Florida Panthers await their opponent in the Eastern Conference semifinals. They will face the winner of the series between the Ottawa Senators and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Senators currently trail the Maple Leafs in that series, though former Bruins goalie Linus Ullmark helped the Sens extend it.
