The Seattle Kraken wasted no time getting spicy this summer, pulling off their first notable offseason trade Sunday to land 23-year-old forward Mackie Samoskevich from the Florida Panthers. The deal brings in a young, cost-controlled winger with playoff experience as Seattle starts reshaping its roster ahead of the draft and free agency.
Seattle sent its 2026 first-round pick - the selection it acquired from Tampa Bay at the 2025 trade deadline - plus a 2027 second-rounder to Florida in exchange for Samoskevich, as reported by The Seattle Times. Kraken general manager Jason Botterill said, "Mackie is a talented young player who we are excited to bring into the fold," according to the outlet. It is Seattle's first completed trade of the offseason and marks a deliberate bet on upside rather than an early splash in free agency.
Who Samoskevich Is
Mackie Samoskevich was a first-round pick (24th overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft and developed at the University of Michigan before turning pro, according to NHL.com. Last season he posted 32 points (12 goals) in 77 regular-season games, per Hockey-Reference. He also earned a Stanley Cup ring with Florida in 2025 and arrives in Seattle with a mix of speed, special-teams experience, and playmaking potential that could deepen the Kraken forward group.
How He Fits In Seattle
Local offseason analysis has flagged Samoskevich as a logical reclamation-style target for the Kraken timeline, giving Seattle a right-shot winger with upside and a modest cap hit, as noted by Sound Of Hockey. His arrival gives coach Lane Lambert another puck-moving option who can slide into middle-six minutes and contribute on the power play. For Kraken fans, the move is an early hint that Botterill is prepared to spend draft capital to chase younger talent with room to grow.
The Kraken have not announced an introductory event for Samoskevich, and the team is expected to sort out roster and cap decisions as training camp approaches. For now, the trade offers a clear snapshot of Seattle's retooling philosophy: buy low on youth and hope that emerging talent can speed up the franchise timeline.
