Kraken Land Panthers Forward Mackie Samoskevich in Draft Day Trade

Summary:

• The Kraken has acquired 23-year-old forward Mackie Samoskevich from the Panthers.
• Panthers will receive the 25th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a conditional 2027 second-round pick.
• Samoskevich recorded 32 points last season and was part of Florida’s Stanley Cup-winning squad.

The Seattle Kraken were quick to strengthen their roster ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft by acquiring forward Mackie Samoskevich from the Florida Panthers in exchange for significant draft capital.

Player Rights VS 25th Overall Pick

According to the terms of the new deal, Seattle will receive the rights to the 23-year-old winger, while Florida will gain the 25th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft as well as a conditional second-round selection in 2027.

The former first-round draft pick will reach Seattle after completing the best season of his NHL career, appearing in 77 games for the Panthers during the 2025-26 campaign, during which he scored 12 goals and added 20 assists for 32 points.

He also played a role in Florida’s recent Stanley Cup success, gaining valuable playoff and championship experience.

For the Kraken, the move marks an important investment in youth and offensive upside, as Samoskevich is viewed as a skilled forward with strong skating ability and the potential to turn into a consistent top-six contributor.

His arrival also reunites him with former University of Michigan teammate Matty Beniers, one of Seattle’s cornerstone players.

Mix of Age, Talent, and Winning Experience

Kraken General Manager Jason Botterill said the organization was attracted by Samoskevich’s combination of age, talent, and winning experience. Seattle continues to build a younger core as it looks to return to playoff contention in the coming seasons.

The trade comes at an interesting time for the Panthers, who are balancing a championship-caliber roster with salary cap considerations and future planning. By acquiring a first-round draft choice and an additional future asset, Florida adds valuable flexibility heading into draft week.

Samoskevich is set to become a restricted free agent on July 1, meaning Seattle’s next task will be negotiating a new contract with the winger. Given the assets surrendered to acquire him, the Kraken are expected to view him as an important part of their long-term plans.

The move could prove to be one of the more intriguing transactions of the NHL offseason, with Seattle betting on Samoskevich’s potential while Florida turns its focus toward future roster building.