Florida trades forward Mackie Samoskevich to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for draft capital, according to multiple reports. The teams announce the deal as Florida prepares for the NHL draft. Seattle acquires Samoskevich, a 23-year-old forward, to add a young offensive player to its roster after missing the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons. One report says Samoskevich has recorded 64 points across 160 regular-season and playoff games, and Seattle general manager Jason Botterill describes the move as bringing in a talented young player.
Florida, which had Samoskevich listed as a restricted free agent and was not expected to keep him, uses the trade to secure additional selection opportunities. Reports state the compensation includes Seattle’s No. 25 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and an additional second-round pick next year.
Another outlet reports that the Panthers, after the transaction, hold two first-round selections in the 2026 draft—Nos. 9 and 25—illustrating how Florida converts the player into multiple higher-value choices. The deal is completed with both clubs trading draft picks rather than established players.
