Panthers re-sign forward Mackie Samoskevich to one-year contract
The Florida Panthers have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with restricted free agent forward Mackie Samoskevich, the club announced Thursday morning.
Samoskevich, 22, collected 15 goals and 31 points in 72 games with the Panthers during the 2024-25 regular season. The 5’11” right wing added one assist in four playoff contests with the club.
The Panthers originally selected Samoskevich in the first round (No. 24 overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft. The Newtown, CT product will have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup later this summer in recognition of his contributions to Florida’s 2025 championship team.
Because he burned the first year of his entry-level deal by signing with the Panthers late in the 2022-23 season, Samoskevich was a 10.2(c) RFA, making him ineligible for an offer sheet this summer. According to PuckPedia, his new one-way deal with the Panthers carries the league minimum $775,000 cap hit.
More Mackie!
We've agreed to terms with forward Mackie Samoskevich on a one-year contract.
📝 » https://t.co/55gj1kdxQ6 pic.twitter.com/uWmxvyjHPa
Samoskevich played a key role on the stacked 2020-21 Chicago Steel championship team that also included Matt Coronato, Adam Fantilli, Josh Doan, and Jackson Blake. He also played for Team USA at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship.
After scoring 10 points in eight playoff games with the Steel in 2021, Samoskevich began his NCAA career at the University of Michigan, scoring 30 goals and 72 points in 79 games over two seasons with the Wolverines before turning pro with the Panthers organization.
Samoskevich spent most of his first professional season with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers and didn’t look one bit out of place, leading the team with 22 goals and 54 points in 62 contests. He also skated in his first seven games with the Panthers during the 2023-24 regular season.
Promoted to the Panthers for the entirety of the 2024-25 campaign, Samoskevich provied invaluable depth scoring for most of the year but ended up being relegated to the press box for most of the postseason, with newcomer Brad Marchand pushing him out of the lineup.
With the Panthers now facing a cap crunch as they attempt to go for a three-peat, Samoskevich’s bargain-basement cap hit should be a huge asset for them in the 2025-26 season. The Panthers have all their major players under contract for next year but will need to shed some money to get under the $95.5 million ceiling.