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Panthers Trade Samoskevich to Kraken for 2026 No. 25 Pick

6/22/2026

Summary

Kraken Acquire Samoskevich

Florida Panthers traded forward Mackie Samoskevich to Seattle Kraken for the No. 25 2026 draft pick and a conditional 2027 second-round pick.
The No. 25 pick came from Tampa Bay Lightning and reached Seattle in a deal that sent Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand to Tampa Bay.
Seattle must sign Samoskevich, with the conditional 2027 pick set as the higher of Winnipeg’s and Columbus’s selections, linked to Seattle’s trade of Brandon Tanev to the Jets.

Summary

Kraken Sign Samoskevich

The Kraken can sign restricted free agent Samoskevich to an eight-year maximum contract, adding a right-handed winger.
Seattle currently has only four right-shot wingers, so his addition fills a needed spot.
He previously played with center Matty Beniers at Michigan, giving the club an existing on-ice partnership.
The 23-year-old is viewed as a low-cost scoring upgrade for a team that missed the playoffs in four of five seasons.

Summary

Kraken Add Samoskevich

The Kraken acquired forward Samoskevich on a league-minimum contract, giving them a cost-controlled player.
The deal freed cap space and added a player with recent second-power-play experience, expanding special-team options.
Seattle waived AHL Rookie of the Year Tye Kartye, swapping a prospect for an NHL-ready forward.
The extra draft assets give the Kraken flexibility to pursue veterans such as Dylan Larkin or Connor Hellebuyck and give Florida leverage in its rebuild.

History

Historical Context

In March 2014, the New York Rangers sent defenseman Ryan McDonagh to Tampa Bay for Martin St. Louis and two draft picks—a 2015 first-round pick and a 2015 second-round pick. The deal showed the NHL’s growing reliance on draft capital to address roster gaps, a trend echoed in Seattle’s 2024 acquisition of Mackie Samoskevich, which includes a 2026 No. 25 first-round pick.

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Kraken Acquire Samoskevich

Florida Panthers traded forward Mackie Samoskevich to Seattle Kraken for the No. 25 2026 draft pick and a conditional 2027 second-round pick.
The No. 25 pick came from Tampa Bay Lightning and reached Seattle in a deal that sent Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand to Tampa Bay.
Seattle must sign Samoskevich, with the conditional 2027 pick set as the higher of Winnipeg’s and Columbus’s selections, linked to Seattle’s trade of Brandon Tanev to the Jets.

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