Mikael Samuelsson

Lore & Background

Samuelsson's first stint with the Panthers was cut short by significant injuries. After being acquired from the Penguins on June 21, 2003, in exchange for the first overall pick (used to select Marc-André Fleury), he spent most of his time on the injured reserve list. A fractured jaw from a high-stick by Branislav Mezei on November 22, 2003, sidelined him until January 2004, costing him 22 games. That same month, a fractured hand cost him another 21 games. He finished the 2003–04 season with nine points in 37 games. The Panthers did not tender him a qualifying offer, making him a free agent. He later returned to Florida for a second stint after being traded by the Vancouver Canucks in his third year with that club.

In Their Own Story

The 2003 NHL entry draft saw the Florida Panthers make a bold move. Looking to move up, the Pittsburgh Penguins traded Samuelsson, along with their first- and second-round picks (used to select Nathan Horton and Stefan Meyer, respectively), to the Panthers in exchange for the first overall selection (used to pick goaltender Marc-André Fleury) and a third-round pick (Daniel Carcillo) on June 21, 2003. Samuelsson's time in Florida was defined by injury. On November 22, 2003, he took a high-stick from Branislav Mezei, fracturing his jaw and missing 22 games. Returning in January 2004, he then fractured his hand that same month, missing another 21 games. He finished the 2003–04 season with nine points in 37 games. The Panthers did not tender him a qualifying offer, and he became a free agent. He later returned to the Panthers for a second stint after being traded from Vancouver.

Reader's Guide

To understand Samuelsson's first Panthers tenure, focus on the 2003–04 season. He was acquired in a blockbuster draft-day trade on June 21, 2003, from the Pittsburgh Penguins. His season was defined by two major injuries: a fractured jaw from a high-stick by Branislav Mezei on November 22, 2003, costing him 22 games, and a fractured hand in January 2004, costing him another 21 games. He finished with nine points in 37 games. After the season, the Panthers did not tender him a qualifying offer, making him a free agent. He later returned to the Panthers for a second stint after being traded by the Vancouver Canucks in his third year with that club.

Did You Know?

• Samuelsson was traded to the Panthers on June 21, 2003, as part of a deal that sent the first overall pick (used to select Marc-André Fleury) to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
• He fractured his jaw on November 22, 2003, after a high-stick from Branislav Mezei, missing 22 games.
• In January 2004, he fractured his hand, missing another 21 games.
• He finished the 2003–04 season with nine points in 37 games for the Panthers.
• After the 2003–04 season, the Panthers did not tender him a qualifying offer, making him a free agent.