Panthers Extend Forward Samoskevich’s Contract
Young Talent Remains in Florida
The Florida Panthers have secured the services of forward Mackie Samoskevich for another year, signaling their continued investment in young talent and aiming for a three-peat after back-to-back Stanley Cup victories.
Zito Praises Samoskevich
Bill Zito, Florida Panthers President of Hockey Operations & General Manager, announced the one-year agreement with Samoskevich. Zito highlighted the young player’s adaptability and potential.
“Mackie is a talented young forward who demonstrated skill and maturity well above his age in his first full NHL season,”
Zito said. “He showcased his ability to slot into any hole in our lineup and find success this past season, which is a testament to both his play and character. We look forward to seeing him compete in our organization for years to come.”
Samoskevich’s Impactful Rookie Season
During the 2024-25 season, Samoskevich, 22, made his mark with 31 points over 72 games. His 15 goals ranked seventh among Panthers rookies and fourth among U.S.-born rookies. Impressively, five of those goals were game-winners, tying him with Carter Verhaeghe for the team lead. Recent data indicates that NHL teams are increasingly relying on rookies to contribute offensively, with rookie scoring seeing a notable rise in the past few seasons (Statista).
In the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Samoskevich contributed an assist in his debut against the Tampa Bay Lightning and played in four postseason games, aiding the Panthers in securing their second consecutive championship.
AHL Success and Early Career
Between 2023-24 and 2024-25, Samoskevich has played in 79 regular season games for the Panthers. Additionally, he amassed 56 points (22 goals, 34 assists) in 64 American Hockey League games with the Charlotte Checkers, Florida’s AHL affiliate, from 2022-23 to 2023-24. In his first full professional season with the Checkers in 2023-24, he topped the team in goals (22) and points (54) over 62 games.
Collegiate and Junior Achievements
Before turning pro, the Newtown, Conn., native played two seasons at the University of Michigan, accumulating 72 points (30 goals, 42 assists) in 79 games. As a freshman, he earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, notching 29 points in 40 games. Samoskevich also earned Big Ten All-Tournament Team honors after helping Michigan secure its first Big Ten title since 2016.
Samoskevich also played in the United States Hockey League (USHL) for three seasons with the Chicago Steel, amassing 73 points in 85 games. He helped the Steel win a Clark Cup championship during his final USHL season.
Draft and International Experience
Florida selected Samoskevich in the first round (24th overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft. He has also represented the United States at the 2022 IIHF U20 World Junior Championship and the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Looking Ahead
With Samoskevich signed for another year, the Panthers are positioning themselves for continued success. Fans can explore Season Ticket Memberships for the 2025-26 season by visiting FloridaPanthers.com/tickets or calling (954.835.PUCK).
