Mikael Samuelsson

Lore & Background

Samuelsson was traded to the Florida Panthers by the Pittsburgh Penguins on June 21, 2003, along with Pittsburgh's first- and second-round picks in the 2003 NHL entry draft, in exchange for the first overall selection and a third-round pick.

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

Samuelsson played for the Florida Panthers during the 2003–04 season, but spent most of his time on the injured reserve list due to a fractured jaw and a fractured hand, finishing with nine points in 37 games. He was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Panthers and became 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, along with two draft picks, for the first overall pick and a third-round pick.
• He missed 22 games due to a fractured jaw and 21 games due to a fractured hand during his first stint with Florida.
• Samuelsson later returned to the Panthers for a second stint after being traded by the Vancouver Canucks.