Former Chicago Blackhawks 8th Overall Pick Placed on NHL Waivers

Despite these high hopes for the Panthers, things have taken a tough turn for the defenseman.

Adam Boqvist, the former 8th overall pick in the 2018 NHL entry draft by the Chicago Blackhawks, had significant offensive upside, but his defensive abilities made him a large liability for the Florida Panthers, and he has not played a game since January 6th.

With that, the Florida Panthers have placed the 24-year old former 8th overall pick on waivers.

Said Elliotte Friedman

Boqvist has had several setbacks due to injuries in his following stint with the Columbus Blue Jackets, and was never able to play more than 52 games in a full 82-game NHL season. The Blue Jackets decided to buy him out of his $2.6M AAV contract, after poor performances in the 2023-24 season.

The Panthers than took the gamble, signing the 24-year old to a one-year league minimum $775,000 deal, hoping he could spark some potential that he once had.

But he only suited up for 18-games for the Panthers, and they were emergency-basis scenarios due to injuries on the defensive roster, he recorded only six points and finished with a minus-4 on a stacked Florida Panthers lineup.

Can the Chicago Blackhawks do the funniest thing and re-acquire Adam Boqvist, at zero cost? He was apart of the Seth Jones trade, the Blue Jackets acquired defenseman Adam Boqvist, the 12th overall pick in 2021, for Seth Jones.