After a ‘good debut,’ Florida Panthers’ Mackie Samoskevich knows ‘it’s just the start’
Before Mackie Samoskevich took the ice at Xcel Energy Arena for his rookie lap — a custom before a player’s NHL debut — he heeded the advice of a few friends who had already gone through it.
“Just don’t fall,” Samoskevich said, “and make sure you do your hair before.”
That moment, in Samoskevich’s words, was “a long time coming.” The 20-year-old and top Florida Panthers prospect had set his sights on this day for months.
He made the declaration during the Panthers’ development camp, reinforced it during the team’s rookie showcase and, for good measure, made it known one more time after his first preseason game: When the Panthers began their 2023-24 season and try to build on their run to the Stanley Cup Final, Samoskevich was going to be on the roster.
And sure enough, Samoskevich was there on Thursday during the Panthers’ 2-0 loss to the Minnesota Wild. He primarily played on Florida’s third line with Anton Lundell and Sam Reinhart while also getting time with the Panthers’ second power play unit.
“I thought it took about 10 minutes for him to get into the game,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said, “which is shorter than I thought it would take. ... It was a good debut for him.”
But Samoskevich knows it was also just one game.
If he wants to live up to expectations — both what the Panthers want to see from him and the lofty goals he has for himself — he needs to find ways to continue to elevate his performance.
“You dream about playing the NHL,” said Samoskevich, Florida’s first-round pick in 2021. “It’s something that you work day in and day out for your whole life and now that it’s finally here, it’s pretty sweet. I’m sitting in bed and it’s really sinking in. It’s a good feeling so, but it’s just the start. Hopefully I can keep going.”
‘He deserves to be here’
It didn’t take long for Reinhart to see why Samoskevich is so highly touted.
“His shot is on an NHL level,” Reinhart said. “It’s pretty elite. We have to keep that pace up because he’s so quick. I’m excited to see what he has to offer. He’s had one heck of a camp and he deserves to be here.”
Samoskevich has made the quick rise from college standout for two seasons at the University of Michigan to NHL player with loads of upside. While a lot of it stems from natural ability, Samoskevich backs it up with his work ethic. During training camp, he was always one of the last skaters on the ice, taking extra shots and doing an extra drill here or there to make sure he was as prepared as possible.
“That’s a big thing with me,” Samoskevich said. “If I’m putting in the work out there, come game time. I don’t really have to feel nervous or anything. I know I put the work in and I know I’m prepared for it.”
He’s also one to take as much advice as he can get. He benefited greatly from being grouped with the likes of Reinhart, Lundell, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett and Eetu Luostarinen during training camp.
“He’s done tremendous,” Reinhart said. “He is such a humble guy. He is so nice and kind of relaxed and that is the way he should be. He should have that quiet confidence about himself. That’s going to give him more success in the long run.”
Samoskevich specifically pointed out Lundell as being a teammate he has leaned on throughout the preseason process.
Lundell, Florida’s first-round pick in 2020 (the year before Samoskevich), just went through this NHL acclimation process two years ago and has flourished to become one of Florida’s top two-way forwards.
“I think it’s good to ask a younger guy just because that’s where they’re at right now,” Samoskevich said. “Obviously I’m just coming into the league and he’s fresh out of there. He’s such a good person, such a great player and playing with him helps a lot.”
‘He will play meaningful minutes’
With all that said, Maurice also made one more thing clear: As long as Samoskevich is with the Panthers, he will play a vital role for the team. Steady playing time is key for a player of his caliber this early in his career.
“He will play meaningful minutes this year,” the coach said.
That was evident Thursday. Samoskevich was on the ice for 16 shifts in his debut. He had two shots on goal, another two blocked and two more that missed the net. He was aggressive in the offensive zone and found his footing as the game progressed.
After a quiet first period, Samoskevich began to get into his zone.
He hit the crossbar while gliding down the offensive zone about 90 seconds into the second period. Later in the frame, he sent a pass to Lundell and then was quick to the net in an attempt to cash in on a rebound attempt that didn’t come.
And then midway through the third period, with Maurice looking for a spark, he moved Samoskevich to the second line with Tkachuk and Luostarinen, a show of confidence that the rookie can be an impact late in games.
“It’s nice to see things happen, but it’s just the start of it,” Samoskevich said. “The hard work really starts now.”
.JPG)