While the NHL landscape was dominated by the Florida Panthers’ trade with the Ottawa Senators for Brady Tkachuk on June 21, Florida completed another significant transaction that same morning. The Panthers have traded forward Mackie Samoskevich to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for a 2026 first-round draft pick and a 2027 second-round draft pick.
Samoskevich originally entered the league as the 24th overall selection in the 2021 NHL Draft. After two productive seasons at the University of Michigan, where he tallied 72 points in 79 games, he made his professional debut with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers at the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign, setting the stage for his ascent to the NHL.
His transition to the big league began in earnest during the 2023-24 season. After making his debut on October 12, 2023, he appeared in seven NHL contests while spending the bulk of the year in Charlotte, where he impressed with 54 points across 62 games.
Samoskevich became a full-time NHL player for the 2024-25 season, appearing in 72 games and recording 31 points. He notched his first career point with an assist on October 17, 2024, followed by his first goal on October 26 against the New York Islanders. He also contributed during the postseason, recording one assist over four playoff games as the Panthers captured their second consecutive Stanley Cup.
Continuing his tenure in Florida last season, Samoskevich played 77 games and recorded a career-high 32 points.
Having served as a reliable member of the Panthers’ bottom six, Samoskevich brings valuable professional experience to Seattle’s depth chart. Despite his young age, his tenure in Florida allows him to serve as a mentor for the Kraken’s emerging prospects, such as Berkly Catton and Jacob Melanson.
Furthermore, adding a recent Stanley Cup champion to the locker room provides a significant morale boost for Seattle, helping the organization foster a winning culture as they build for the future.