Panthers 2023-24 Breakout Candidates: Mackie Samoskevich

Florida selected Samoskevich with the 24th selection of the 2021 NHL Draft

Watching the Florida Panthers top prospects during the team’s annual development camp earlier this summer, one thing became apparent as the week went by.

Mackie Samoskevich, Florida’s first-round pick from the 2021 NHL Draft, was the most talented player on the ice.

His quickness, puck skills and high hockey IQ have some in the Panthers coaching ranks very bullish on what the young man could accomplish.

After two years at the University of Michigan, including a 20-goal, 43-point campaign last season, Samoskevich made the decision to go pro and sign his entry-level contract with Florida.

He played nine games, seven of which were playoff games, for the Charlotte Checkers, the Panthers’ American Hockey League affiliate, after signing his deal earlier this year.

In those nine games, Samoskevich racked up six assists while graining more ice time by earning the trust of head coach Geordie Kinnear and his staff.

“He came to us at the end of the year, I gave him quality time on ice because he's that type of player, and then I had him here for six weeks (as a Black Ace during the Stanley Cup Playoffs),” Kinnear said during development camp. “I can say he was the hardest working guy every single day on the ice, and just a great kid, great worker, a great competitor and a great person. You know he grows every single day, so I'm excited about him.”

Where Samoskevich starts the season will ultimately depend on his performance during training camp and the preseason.

Considering he’s on his ELC, the Panthers would love to have a player with such a low cap hit (he carries an average annual value [AAV] of $925,000, per PuckPedia) become a regular contributor.

Should he end up starting the year with AHL Charlotte, don’t be surprised to see him earn himself a look with the big boys sooner rather than later.

To his credit, though, Samoskevich has said that his goal is making the Panthers’ NHL roster, and that’ll be his mindset when he returns to South Florida in the coming weeks for rookie camp and then training camp.

He’ll certainly be someone to keep an eye on when the Cats hit the ice in Coral Springs.