Kraken & Panthers Could Become Trade Partners

Florida Panthers forward Mackie Samoskevich

The Florida Panthers have entered the fray at the deadline as sellers for the first time in a long time. They executed their first deal on Thursday, trading veteran defenseman Jeff Petry. Then they pulled both Sergei Bobrovsky and AJ Greer from the lineup for Thursday night's game. More trades could be coming.

But there's another name off the Panthers roster that is coming under scrutiny, as insider Elliotte Friedman reports that the Seattle Kraken have interest in second-year man Mackie Samoskevich.

As per @FriedgeHNIC: Seattle has interest in Florida’s Mackie Samoskevich. Good young player, but Panthers will make them pay a high price. Shane Wright wouldn’t move in that trade. #SeaKraken pic.twitter.com/k1MzU3H5ZK
— Kraken Canada 🍁 (@KrakenCanada) March 5, 2026

Samoskevich is a restricted free agent after the season, playing on a one-year, $775,000 contract. The 23-year-old hasn't had quite the impact this season as he did last year, sitting on six goals and 21 points in 59 games. In 2024-25, his promising rookie season featured 15 goals and 31 points in 72 games. He also handed out 134 hits. He has a high hockey IQ and great hands as a playmaker.

The 5'11" forward was the Panthers' first-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft (24th overall).

As Friedman noted, the Kraken are dangling former No. 4 overall pick Shane Wright (2022 NHL Draft) on the trade block, but he feels that Wright wouldn't tickle Florida's fancy as far as getting them to part with Samoskevich.

We'll see if Seattle can come up with something that will get the Cats to listen.