The Florida Panthers had a busy start to Fathers Day on Sunday, making a trade with Seattle in which they sent forward Mackie Samoskevich to the Kraken for a first-round pick in this weekend's draft plus a second-round selection next year.
Samoskevich, 23, spent part of the past three seasons with the Panthers and won the Stanley Cup with them in 2025.
There had been rumblings that Samoskevich could be on the move as part of a big trade — although being sent to Seattle for a couple of high draft picks was not exactly the move that was expected.
So, why now?
First off, the Panthers were due to owe Samoskevich some money.
Last summer, he was a restricted free agent and signed for the low sum of $775,000. With the Panthers flush against the salary cap, they could not afford much.
And, as a restricted player without arbitration rights, there really was not anything Samoskevich could do.
This summer is different.
Samoskevich could go to arbitration, which means he was probably going to at least double his previous salary if not get a little more.
The Panthers are currently a shade over $13 million under the cap and need to figure out their goalie situation with Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov both pending free agents come July 1.
Florida also went into this offseason pretty deep at the forward position. Samoskevich has played throughout the lineup the past two years but mostly within the top 6.
The Panthers have, without making another trade, plenty of forwards who can slot in, including Evan Rodrigues and rookie Sandis Vilmanis.
Speaking of trades, getting two high picks for Samoskevich gives GM Bill Zitosome nice ammunition going into the 2026 NHL Draft which starts Friday night in Buffalo.
Florida now has No. 9 and No. 25 in the first round, not to mention two second round picks in each of the next two drafts.
If the Panthers are going to go 'big game hunting' for either a new starting goalie — or Detroit captain Dylan Larkin — it does not hurt having more draft chips in your pocket.
NHL Draft (9th/25th in First Round, Eight Picks Overall): Friday-Saturday; KeyBank Center, Buffalo
NHL Free Agency: Opens July 1
Panthers Development Camp: Late June/Early July; IcePlex, Fort Lauderdale
Panthers Rookie Camp/Tournament: Late August/Early Sept.; Site TBA
Panthers Training Camp: Early/Mid September; Fort Lauderdale
2026-27 NHL Season Opens: Late September; Site, Opponent TBA
This article: NHL Trade: Why the Florida Panthers Sent Samoskevich to the Kraken originally appeared on Florida Hockey Now.
