The business of hockey continues even after hoisting the Stanley Cup. The Florida Panthers organization announced on July 10, 2025, that they have secured forward Mackie Samoskevich on a new one-year contract. This move locks down a young player who just completed his significant entry into the NHL landscape as a restricted free agent.
The 2024-25 campaign marked Samoskevich`s first full season competing at the NHL level. Over 72 games, the young forward posted a respectable 31 points, tallying 15 goals and adding 16 assists. His offensive contributions were a notable step forward from his brief prior experience in the league.
Samoskevich also gained valuable post-season experience, appearing in four playoff contests and registering one assist. While his individual playoff stat line might appear modest on paper, simply being a part of the Panthers` historic run to their second consecutive Stanley Cup victory provides crucial context to his season and integration into the team`s established winning culture.
Panthers President and General Manager Bill Zito offered praise for the young forward upon the announcement. Zito highlighted Samoskevich`s performance, noting he “demonstrated skill and maturity well above his age” during his first full NHL season. He also pointed out Samoskevich`s adaptability, citing his ability to “slot into any hole in our lineup and find success,” which Zito attributed to both his on-ice capability and personal character. The organization clearly sees him as a key part of their future plans, stating they “look forward to seeing him compete in our organization for years to come.”
Samoskevich`s path to this professional contract involved being a first-round selection by Florida, taken 24th overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.
The 22-year-old forward, a native of Newtown, Connecticut, spent two seasons developing his game at the University of Michigan before turning professional within the Panthers organization.
Prior to his breakout full season, Samoskevich had a brief seven-game NHL stint with the Panthers during the 2023-24 season, where he did not register any points, underscoring the significant development step he took in the subsequent year to become a regular contributor.
The one-year term provides the Panthers with cost control and flexibility regarding their roster composition while giving Samoskevich the opportunity to further establish himself as a consistent NHL contributor and potentially earn a longer-term deal down the road. Specific financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed publicly. This signing ensures a promising young piece remains with a championship-winning roster, aiming to continue his development and contribute to future successes for the franchise.
