Kraken Land Mackie Samoskevich in Draft Day Trade with Panthers

Seattle Kraken have made a notable move ahead of the NHL Draft, acquiring promising forward Mackie Samoskevich from the Florida Panthers in exchange for the No. 25 pick in Friday’s NHL Draft. The trade, confirmed by both teams on Friday, signals Seattle’s intent to add young, NHL-ready talent to its roster as the franchise continues to build for the future.

Samoskevich, 23, arrives in Seattle after developing within a deep Panthers organization. Known for his high-end skill and offensive instincts, he is expected to compete for a roster spot and bring an injection of speed and creativity to the Kraken’s forward lines.

• The No. 25 overall pick heads to Florida, giving the Panthers another first-round selection to continue restocking their prospect pool.
• Samoskevich, a former first-round pick himself (24th overall in 2021), has been regarded as a prospect with significant upside.

The deal capitalizes on Seattle’s depth in draft capital and Florida’s need to add picks after recent playoff runs. Samoskevich, who spent time developing in the minors and with the Panthers’ AHL affiliate, is considered close to full-time NHL duty.

For Seattle, this move represents a shift toward bringing in talent with both youth and pro experience. Samoskevich’s agility and quick-release shot have garnered praise during his development, and he is viewed as a potential top-six winger if his growth continues. While he saw limited NHL ice time with Florida, his AHL production hinted at a player ready for the next step.

With the draft underway, the Panthers now hold the 25th selection, providing them a valuable chance to address organizational needs and add to their pipeline. For the Kraken, the acquisition of Samoskevich is an investment in immediate upside, rather than waiting for a late first-round pick to develop over several years.

This trade demonstrates the differing strategies of the two franchises: Seattle accelerates its timeline by bringing in a near-ready asset, while Florida leverages a surplus at the forward position to recoup a high draft pick and maintain future roster flexibility.