Samoskevich Joins Kraken
Florida Panthers Trade Forward Samoskevich to Seattle for Future Draft Capital
Key Points
Beyond his 12 goals and 20 assists, Samoskevich logged 14:28 of ice time per game in 2025-26 and was a physical contributor, finishing with 136 hits and leading Florida’s wingers with 33 blocked shots; he also had 161 shots on goal and played on the Panthers’ second power-play unit.
The No. 25 overall pick Florida is receiving was originally owned by the Tampa Bay Lightning before Seattle acquired it in last year’s Yanni Gourde trade.
Florida also improved its draft depth: after acquiring No. 25, it held two first-round picks (Nos. 9 and 25) plus two second-rounders at Nos. 40 and 48—giving the Panthers four selections within the top 48 picks.
Seattle is getting Samoskevich off a $775,000 one-year contract, and with him still a restricted free agent, reporting indicates the Kraken will likely pursue a bridge/short-term deal before any longer-term agreement.
One factor behind Florida’s decision-making context was scoring efficiency: in 2025-26, Samoskevich’s shooting percentage was reported at 7.5% as he posted 12 goals and 32 points in 77 games.
The Florida Panthers traded forward Mackie Samoskevich to the Seattle Kraken on June 21 for the No. 25 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a conditional 2027 second-round pick, according to The Score. The deal gives Florida two first-round selections — Nos. 9 and 25 — heading into the draft in Los Angeles, while Seattle lands a 23-year-old winger it expects to step into a bigger role immediately.
Samoskevich posted 12 goals and 32 points in 77 games in 2025-26 on a $775,000 contract and was part of Florida's 2025 Stanley Cup run. He is a restricted free agent, meaning Seattle will need to sign him to a new deal — most likely a short-term bridge contract worth an estimated $2.8–3.4 million per year, per ClutchPoints.
Seattle Bets on Samoskevich's Untapped Offensive Ceiling
Kraken general manager Jason Botterill called Samoskevich "a rare combination of speed, skill, and a willingness to play through traffic," adding that Seattle believes his offensive ceiling is higher than his current numbers suggest, per NHL.com. One key data point supports that view: his shooting percentage last season was just 7.5%. If that rate climbs to a more typical 11–12% for a top-six winger, he projects as a 20-goal scorer.
Beyond the scoring, Samoskevich was a physical presence in Florida. He recorded 136 hits and led all Panthers wingers with 33 blocked shots, while logging 14:28 of ice time per game, according to Winnipeg Free Press. Seattle also noted that the move reunites him with Kraken center Matty Beniers, his former teammate at the University of Michigan. The familiarity is expected to shorten his adjustment period in a new system.
Florida Converts a Cup Contributor Into Four Top-48 Picks
By acquiring the No. 25 pick, the Panthers now hold four selections in the top 48 of the 2026 draft: Nos. 9, 25, 40, and 48. Florida GM Bill Zito said the move "positions us with significant capital to ensure our window remains open long-term," per Miami Herald. The haul gives Florida the firepower to either draft a new core or package picks as trade bait for a veteran impact player.
The No. 25 pick itself has a notable history. It was originally owned by the Tampa Bay Lightning before Seattle acquired it as part of the 2025 Yanni Gourde trade, according to ClutchPoints. Florida now holds a pick once belonging to its cross-state rival. Samoskevich's low $775,000 salary and rising RFA cost made the timing of the deal easy for Florida — he was going to get more expensive, and the Panthers chose to sell before that bill came due.
The Conditional 2027 Pick Gives Florida a Built-In Hedge
The second piece of the deal is a 2027 second-round pick structured as the higher of the Winnipeg Jets' or Columbus Blue Jackets' selections that year. That structure protects Florida's return. Instead of being locked into one team's unknown draft position, the Panthers are guaranteed the better of two outcomes. If both Winnipeg and Columbus land in the middle of the standings, Florida could net a pick in the 33–38 range — near first-round value, per The Score.
For Seattle, the condition keeps the cost of the deal manageable. The Kraken hold the No. 7 overall pick for Friday's first round and did not have to surrender it to get Samoskevich. That structure let both sides manage uncertainty: Florida gets upside protection, and Seattle avoids overpaying while still landing a player it views as a fit right now, according to Medicine Hat News.
Samoskevich Leaves a Cup Champion, Eyes a Bigger Role
Samoskevich said he is "incredibly grateful" for his time in Florida and winning the Cup, but called the chance to play a larger role in Seattle "something I'm really excited about." In Florida, he played on the second power-play unit and averaged under 15 minutes per night. The Kraken project him into a top-six spot with more prominent power-play time, a significant step up from his current usage.
His contract situation adds urgency. Seattle acquired him as a restricted free agent and will need to sign him before the season. The most likely outcome is a bridge deal — a short-term contract that lets the Kraken evaluate him in their system before committing to a longer extension. The approach gives Seattle flexibility if his role or production shifts once he joins the lineup full-time, per Winnipeg Free Press.
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