After watching for two years, Mackie Samoskevich is ready to be part of a Panthers playoff run
Mackie Samoskevich had an up-close-and-personal view of the Florida Panthers’ past two Stanley Cup playoff runs. He joined the team both postseasons as a Black Ace, an extra practice player called up from the minor leagues during the playoffs, and got to see first-hand what it takes to win it all.
But not playing in those games also fueled him to want to get on the ice in the big moments.
“I’ve been able to watch a lot of our hockey here,” Samoskevich said. “You’re sitting up there just thinking about how bad you want to be out there.”
On Tuesday, Samoskevich will have his moment. The rookie forward, who has evolved into a key contributor for the Panthers, will suit up for his first Stanley Cup playoff game when the Panthers begin their first-round series against their in-state rival Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena.
While there is no substitute for experience, Samoskevich plans to take what he learned watching those past two playoff runs — the first ending in a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2023, the second with Florida winning it all in 2024 — as he tries to make an impact this postseason.
“The energy level and compete just goes up 10 times,” Samoskevich said. “You’ve got to be ready. You’ve got to be dialed in on everything, every little thing. Every inch matter.”
The Panthers believe Samoskevich is ready. They’ve seen him blossom over his first full NHL season.
Samoskevich’s role has evolved since making the opening night roster. He began on Florida’s fourth line, which plays fewer minutes and has less opportunities for players to showcase themselves but gets them on the ice. That role helped him add a physical element to his game and made him hone in on his defense to complement his lethal shot and swift skating.
As the season progressed, Samoskevich’s responsibilities increased. He joined Florida’s second line centered by Sam Bennett and worked his way onto the top power-play unit.
The results came with it.
Samoskevich finished the regular season with 15 goals and 16 assists to go along with 134 hits and 32 blocked shots.
He is just the sixth rookie in franchise history to record at least 15 goals and 15 assists in his first full season. The other five: Anton Lundell (18 goals, 26 assists in 2021-22), Nick Bjugstad (16 goals, 22 assists in 2013-14), Michael Frolik (21 goals, 24 assists in 2008-09), Kristian Huselius (23 goals, 22 assists in 2001-02) and Jesse Belanger (17 goals, 33 assists in 1993-94).
His 15 goals ranked tied for eighth among all NHL rookies, while his five game-winning goals tied with Carter Verhaeghe for the team lead and were tied for second among all rookies.
“He’s gotten himself to a point where I don’t have to be careful with him anymore. He understands what we’re doing,” coach Paul Maurice said. “I’m excited for him because it feels like he’s been with us because he was with us last year in that run. Then he comes in, and to his credit, he’s handled every situation like a great pro. ... He kind of just slowly worked his way up.”
Maurice said Samoskevich being around over the past two playoffs runs despite not playing was a benefit for the rookie for two reasons.
First, it gave Samoskevich an opportunity to understand the playoff grind. For a Black Ace, the routine of being on the ice every other day only to not play can become mundane. Samoskevich thrived in it and took the routine into the offseason.
“He used that time, and he physically looked considerably different at the end of the two months than at the start,” Maurice said. “You put on some mass, you lift every day, you’re training every day. He changed his body type. It’s a really good sign for us.”
Second, it helped him find comfort in the team before he had his defined role. It made training camp a little easier for him because he didn’t have the extra pressure of making a first impression on his teammates because they had already seen what he can provide.
“Young players come into training came and they burn an awful lot of anxiety energy,” Maurice said. “We hoped that he got through that without as much anxiety and could just play. We think that’s what happened and that gave him a chance to be where he is today.”
Where he is today is the Stanley Cup playoffs, with a chance to play a role in the Panthers repeating as champions in his first NHL season.
Now, Samoskevich does have playoff experience, just not at the NHL level. He made the NCAA tournament in both of his seasons at Michigan, advancing to the Frozen Four as a sophomore before turning pro. Samoskevich also appeared in 10 playoff games with AHL and logged four assists during that span.
He hopes to draw on that experience.
“Last year, the playoffs in the American League, it’s another level,” Samoskevich said. “I learned that, and it’s going to be another level here.”
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