Kraken Make Bold Move, Acquire Young Forward Mackie Samoskevich from Panthers

By Bo Crouch | Axess Sports

The Seattle Kraken continued reshaping their roster Thursday, making a significant investment in their future by acquiring forward Mackie Samoskevich from the Florida Panthers.

Seattle sent a 2026 first-round pick acquired from Tampa Bay along with a conditional 2027 second-round selection to Florida in exchange for the 23-year-old winger. The conditional pick could become the higher of Winnipeg's or Columbus' second-round selections in 2027 depending on the terms of the agreement.

For Kraken General Manager Jason Botterill, the move is about adding a young player who has already shown he can contribute at the NHL level while still possessing plenty of upside.

"Mackie is a talented young player who we are excited to bring into the fold," Botterill said. "He has speed, skill and scoring ability. A Stanley Cup champion with the Panthers in 2025, Mackie's a player who can contribute offensively and add a spark to our lineup."

The acquisition brings Seattle a player who has steadily developed into a reliable NHL contributor over the last three seasons.

Samoskevich appeared in 77 games for Florida during the 2025-26 campaign, posting career highs with 12 goals, 20 assists and 32 points. He also contributed four power-play goals while becoming a regular part of the Panthers lineup.

The Connecticut native recorded a memorable milestone during the season, scoring a goal and adding an assist in his 100th NHL game against Edmonton on Nov. 22, 2025.

Over parts of three NHL seasons with Florida, Samoskevich has accumulated 27 goals and 63 points in 156 regular-season games. His breakout came during the 2024-25 season when he scored 15 goals and 31 points while helping the Panthers capture their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship.

That rookie campaign placed him among some notable names in franchise history. His 15 goals ranked seventh among Florida rookies, while his 31 points tied Panthers legend Jonathan Huberdeau for eighth-most by a rookie in team history.

While his offensive numbers continue to trend upward, Samoskevich has also proven capable of delivering in important moments. During Florida's championship run in 2025, he made his Stanley Cup Playoff debut against Tampa Bay and immediately contributed with an assist in a 6-2 victory. He ultimately appeared in four playoff games as the Panthers lifted the Cup for the second straight season.

Before becoming a full-time NHL player, Samoskevich showcased his scoring touch throughout every level of his development.

He totaled 56 points in 64 American Hockey League games with Charlotte and starred collegiately at the University of Michigan. During the 2022-23 season, he exploded for 43 points in just 39 games while helping the Wolverines secure another Big Ten Tournament championship.

Michigan fans may remember that Samoskevich shared the ice with current Kraken center Matty Beniers during the 2021-22 season, giving Seattle a reunion of two former Wolverines teammates.

His development path also included a successful stint with the Chicago Steel of the USHL, where he helped capture the 2021 Clark Cup championship and established himself as one of the league's top young prospects.

Internationally, Samoskevich has represented the United States at both the IIHF World Junior Championship and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

Originally selected 24th overall by Florida in the first round of the 2021 NHL Draft, Samoskevich arrives in Seattle as a former first-round talent entering what many believe could be the prime years of his career.

For a Kraken organization looking to add more speed, youth and offensive upside to its lineup, Thursday's trade signals a clear belief that Samoskevich's best hockey is still ahead of him.