The Florida Panthers have acquired the 25th overall pick in the 2026 NHL draft and a 2027 conditional second-round pick from the Seattle Kraken in exchange for winger Mackie Samoskevich.
The Florida Panthers have traded winger Mackie Samoskevich to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick and a conditional 2027 second-round pick.
The first-round pick the Panthers are acquiring is the 25th pick in this year’s draft, while the condition on the 2027 second-round pick is that the Panthers earn the higher of the Columbus Blue Jackets’ or Winnipeg Jets’ pick, which are both owned by the Kraken.
For Samoskevich, he’ll head to a team looking for more skill and one that will give him a better opportunity to compete for more minutes. In 2025-26, Samoskevich struggled to score goals, notching just 12 goals and adding 32 points in 77 games. His shooting percentage was a woeful 7.5 percent.
The 23-year-old right-handed winger ends his Panthers tenure with 27 goals and 63 points in 156 games, winning a Stanley Cup with the team in the 2024-25 season.
The former 24th overall pick of the 2021 NHL draft will be reunited with his NCAA teammate at the University of Michigan, Matty Beniers.
With Seattle, Samoskevich should be given a real opportunity to play meaningful top-six minutes. With the uncertainty of pending UFAs Bobby McMann, Jaden Schwartz, and Eeli Tolvanen, there is an avenue to play in the top six whether those players return or not.
The next step for Samoskevich is to sign a contract with the Kraken, as he is currently an RFA. In all likelihood, the Kraken will sign him to a bridge deal or short-term contract, looking for him to prove his value to the organization.
For the Panthers, this opens up plenty of possibilities. It’s no secret they need a goaltender. Could they use the ninth and 25th overall picks to land Connor Hellebuyck, or do they revamp their prospect pool by making both selections?
The Panthers now have options, opening up a realm of possibilities.
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