Mackie Samoskevich traded to Kraken today: Seattle secures Stanley Cup winner for draft capital

The Seattle Kraken pulled off a major pre-draft shocker on Sunday by acquiring 23-year-old winger Mackie Samoskevich from the Florida Panthers. In exchange, the cap-strapped Panthers received the No. 25 overall pick in this Friday’s NHL Draft alongside a conditional 2027 second-round pick. This aggressive move lands Seattle a fast, right-handed shooter who already owns a championship ring, while allowing Florida to dodge a potentially expensive restricted free agency battle.

What We Know So Far

The trade ends a months-long pursuit by Seattle general manager Jason Botterill, who actively tried to pry Samoskevich away from Sunrise at the trade deadline when Florida was sliding out of the playoff hunt. By waiting until the offseason, the Kraken capitalized on Florida’s urgent need for financial flexibility. Samoskevich, who earned $775,000 last season, is a restricted free agent on July 1. Analysts projected his outside market value could rise significantly, a financial reality the Panthers simply could not accommodate while trying to address their vacant goaltending situation.

Seattle used assets originally obtained from the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2025 Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand trade to finalize the deal, sending the No. 25 selection to Florida. The conditional 2027 second-round pick will be the higher selection between the Winnipeg Jets and the Columbus Blue Jackets. This gives Florida significant capital heading into Friday's draft in Buffalo, where they now hold the ninth and 25th overall selections.

Samoskevich leaves Florida after recording 32 points, including 12 goals and 20 assists, in 77 regular-season games this past year. Over his 156-game career, the Newtown, Connecticut native has amassed 63 total points. His departure leaves the Panthers without any high-profile restricted free agents and provides them with roughly $15.2 million in salary-cap space to re-sign or replace veteran goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky.

What People Are Saying

Seattle management made no secret of their desire to inject more offensive drive into their middle-six forward rotation. General manager Jason Botterill highlighted Samoskevich's pedigree as a crucial addition to a young roster trying to take the next step.

For me, there’s the fact that, at such a young age, he’s been able to win a Stanley Cup already, and he’s been a part of a very successful organization in Florida. I just love his age, love his speed and I love his shot. So, I think he’ll fit in very well with the style of play that we’re trying to play on an everyday basis here.

Botterill also noted that Samoskevich is expected to handle a top-six or top-nine role under head coach Lane Lambert, adding a much-needed right-handed shot to a group featuring Jordan Eberle and Shane Wright. The move reunites Samoskevich with his former University of Michigan teammate, star center Matty Beniers, which should ease his transition to the Pacific Northwest.

How This Affects You

For hockey fans in Canada, this trade alters the balance of power in the Western Conference. Western Canadian teams like the Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, and Calgary Flames will now have to contend with a much quicker, structurally sound Seattle top-six forward group. The conditions on the 2027 draft pick directly tie into the future assets of the Winnipeg Jets, meaning local fans will have a vested interest in how Winnipeg finishes next season, as their performance determines the exact draft position surrendered to Florida.

Coming Up

The immediate next step for the Kraken is to secure a contract extension with Samoskevich before or shortly after he officially becomes a restricted free agent on July 1. Analysts suggest a two-year bridge contract worth roughly $3 million annually is the most likely outcome. Meanwhile, all eyes turn to the NHL Draft this Friday and Saturday at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, where the Panthers will look to utilize their newly acquired 25th overall pick to restock their thin pipeline or engineer another blockbuster trade.

At a Glance

• The Seattle Kraken acquired forward Mackie Samoskevich from the Florida Panthers on Sunday.
• Florida received the 25th overall selection in the 2026 NHL Draft and a conditional 2027 second-round pick.
• Samoskevich registered 12 goals and 32 points in 77 games last season and won a Stanley Cup with Florida in 2025.
• The 23-year-old winger is a restricted free agent on July 1 and was coming off a $775,000 contract.
• The trade frees up over $15.2 million in cap space for Florida to address its goaltending needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the Florida Panthers trade Mackie Samoskevich?

Florida faced severe salary-cap constraints and feared an expensive offer sheet for Samoskevich in restricted free agency that they could not match. Trading him allows them to secure draft assets while preserving roughly $15.2 million to address their goaltending situation.

What did the Seattle Kraken give up in the trade?

The Kraken traded the No. 25 overall selection in this Friday's 2026 NHL Draft and a conditional 2027 second-round pick. The second-round pick will be the higher selection between picks previously acquired from Winnipeg and Columbus.

What is Mackie Samoskevich's current contract status?

Samoskevich becomes a restricted free agent on July 1. Seattle will now assume his negotiating rights and must work out a new contract extension before he can hit the ice for the upcoming season.

How does this move benefit the Seattle Kraken on the ice?

Samoskevich brings elite speed, structural two-way defensive habits, and a much-needed right-handed shot to Seattle's forward lines. He is expected to step into a prominent top-six or top-nine role under coach Lane Lambert.