Seattle Kraken Acquire Forward Mackie Samoskevich in Trade

Seattle Kraken General Manager Jason Botterill announced the team has acquired forward Mackie Samoskevich from the Florida Panthers in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick and a 2027 conditional second-round pick. The 2027 second-round pick is conditional to become the higher selection of the Winnipeg or Columbus 2027 second-round picks. Mackie Samoskevich, 23, earned 32 points in 77 regular-season games with Florida during the 2025-26 season. He set personal bests in assists, points, and games played, and shared sixth on the club in power-play goals. Jason Botterill noted that Samoskevich is a talented young player who can contribute offensively and add a spark to the Kraken's lineup. And with his speed, skill, and scoring ability, he will be a valuable addition to the team. But what makes Samoskevich an attractive asset is his experience as a Stanley Cup champion with the Panthers in 2025. So the Kraken are gaining not only a skilled player but also one with playoff experience. Samoskevich has 63 points in 156 career regular-season contests with the Panthers from 2023-2026. He co-led the Panthers with Carter Verhaeghe in game-winning markers in his first full NHL season in 2024-25. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound forward has also skated in 64 regular-season games in the American Hockey League with Charlotte, posting 56 points. Prior to turning pro, Samoskevich spent two years at the University of Michigan, including a season with Seattle forward Matty Beniers in 2021-22. He posted 43 points in 39 games as a sophomore in 2022-23, helping Michigan secure its second consecutive Big Ten Tournament title. Samoskevich was originally selected by Florida in the first round of the 2021 NHL Draft. The Seattle Kraken will be looking to integrate Samoskevich into their lineup for the 2026-27 season, which will be their sixth season at Climate Pledge Arena. With this trade, the Kraken are showing their commitment to building a competitive team. The details of the trade, including the conditional pick, demonstrate the team's careful planning for the future. On the international stage, Samoskevich has represented the United States at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship and the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, gaining valuable experience that will benefit the Kraken.