The Florida Panthers are heading into the new season as the reigning Stanley Cup champions, marking a historic first for the franchise. Their goal is to repeat last season’s success as they approach the 2024-25 campaign.
During the off-season, the Panthers conducted their development camp for emerging players. Notably absent from this camp was forward Mackie Samoskevich, who was the team’s 24th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. Although Samoskevich saw some NHL action last year with seven games played, he is anticipated to join the main roster full-time this season. His exclusion from the development camp suggests the team views him as ready for this next step in his career.
Samoskevich had an impressive stint with the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League (AHL) during the 2023-24 season. Over 62 regular-season games, he scored 22 goals and provided 32 assists. Despite going scoreless in three postseason games, his performance throughout the regular season was noteworthy. In total, he accumulated 56 points (22 goals, 34 assists) across 64 regular-season games with Charlotte and added four assists in ten playoff appearances.
Before joining the AHL, Samoskevich excelled as a collegiate player at the University of Michigan. His skills were evident in his freshman year of the 2021-22 season, where he netted 10 goals and 19 assists in 40 games. Michigan won the Big Ten tournament that year but fell to Denver in the NCAA semifinals. The following season, Samoskevich’s performance improved even further. As a sophomore, he scored 20 goals and recorded 23 assists in 39 games. Michigan clinched another Big Ten championship but lost in the national semifinal to Quinnipiac, which went on to win the national title. Overall, Samoskevich accumulated 62 points (27 goals, 35 assists) in 79 college games.
Looking ahead to the 2024-25 season, Samoskevich faces competition for a roster spot. General Manager Bill Zito has bolstered the bottom six by signing Jesper Boqvist, A.J. Greer, and Tomas Nosek, with Jonah Gadjovich also expected to be an extra forward. This crowded roster means that Samoskevich’s place on the main lineup may depend on injuries or coaching decisions to rest starters later in the season. Given the competition, securing a spot may be challenging, despite Samoskevich’s potential.
For Samoskevich, this season is crucial. With a solid track record and NHL experience, it’s imperative for him to advance in his development and secure more playing time. The organization must prioritize his growth to avoid the pitfalls seen in past situations, such as with Owen Tippett. Ensuring Samoskevich’s integration into the main roster could prove pivotal for both his career and the Panthers’ future success.
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