2021 Draft Check-In: Samoskevich, Nause among draftees with big seasons

It was a big season for the 2021 draft class of the Florida Panthers.

A couple entry-level contracts were signed and some major hardware was won as all six members of the diverse class took a noticeable step forward in their careers this past year.

So before a new batch of prospects joins Florida's pipeline during the 2023 NHL Draft this week at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, let's first check in on the organization's 2021 draftees.

Mackie Samoskevich (1st round, 24th overall)

Position:RW/C

2022-23 Team: Michigan Wolverines (NCAA) / Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

No more pencils, no more books for Samoskevich.

Not long after completing his sophomore season at Michigan, the 20-year-old forward officially kickstarted his pro career when he signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Panthers on May 8.

"It's something you dream of for sure, signing your first contract," Samoskevich said. "My family is excited, too, and they were a huge help along the way. It will be nice to enjoy all this together."

In his final collegiate campaign, Samoskevich finished second on the Wolverines in goals (20) and third in points (43) in 2022-23. His biggest moment of the season came when he scored in overtime against Penn State in the NCAA Tournament to propel Michigan into the Frozen Four.

Over his two very productive seasons with the Wolverines, the 5-foot-11, 191-pound native of Newtown, Connecticut was nearly a point-per-game player, amassing 72 points (30 goals, 42 assists) in 79 games.

Prior to signing with the Panthers, Samoskevich joined the team's AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, on a professional tryout in April. After dishing out two assists in two games at the end of the regular season, he went on to add four more helpers in seven AHL playoff games.

Later on, Samoskevich joined Florida's "Black Aces" for the team's incredible playoff run.

Evan Nause (2nd round, 56th overall)

Position: D

2022-23 Team: Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)

Nause captured some big hardware this past season.

After racking up nine points (five goals, four assists) during the playoffs to help the Remparts claim the Gilles-Courteau Trophy as the top team in the QMJHL, the 20-year-old defenseman notched two more assists in four games to help Quebec win the 2023 Memorial Cup.

During the regular season, Nause registered 29 points (five goals, 24 assists) in 40 games.

A gifted skater, Nause was easy to spot as he flew up and down the ice during development camp in South Florida this past summer. Near the end of that week, the Panthers decided to get some business done early and inked him to a three-year, entry-level contract on July 15.

"That's something you work for kind of your whole life, just to sign that first pro contract," Nause said shortly after he'd finished signing his first professional deal. "To get that [deal done], it's a little reassuring, but I think that it just fuels the fire more. It continues the motivation for me."

Also garnering some wider recognition this past season, Nause was invited to attend Canada's selection camp for the 2023 World Junior Championship. Although he did not end up making the squad, he did turn a lot of heads and was among the final few players that were sent home.

If all goes well, Nause make his pro debut in 2023-24.

Vladislav Lukashevich (4th round, 120th overall)

Position: D

2022-23 Team:Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)

Lukashevich received some more seasoning in Russia's junior ranks this past season.

Suiting up for his third campaign in the MHL, the 20-year-old defenseman recorded 18 points (two goals, 16 assists) in 45 games, which placed him second in scoring among Yaroslavl's blueliners. After the regular season wrapped up, he also took the ice for 10 playoff contests.

Per scouting reports, his ability to make a good first pass really stands out.

A reliable puck-mover with good size at 6-foot-2 and 172 pounds, Lukashevich, a native of Magadan, Russia, is now expected to begin the next stage of his career in North America as he has reportedly committed to play in the NCAA with Northern Michigan University in 2023-24.

Given his size, age and experience, Lukashevich, who had his 2021-22 season cut short due to injury, should have a great chance to shine and really show what he can do with the Wildcats.

Kirill Gerasimyuk (5th round, 152nd overall)

Position:G

2022-23 Team:SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL) / SKA-Neva St. Petersburg (VHL)

The Goaltending Excellence Department might've found another gem in Gerasimyuk.

After posting a 16-0-1 record with a .932 save percentage during his draft season with SKA-1946 in 2021-22, the talented young goaltender -- who still won't even celebrate his 20th birthday until Aug. 22 -- went 15-4-4 with an identical .932 save percentage this past campaign.

Also appearing in two games in Russia's equivalent of the AHL, the VHL, Gerasimyuk didn't look out of place while going 0-0-1 with a .926 save percentage between the pipes for St. Petersburg.

Armed with an incredibly strong glove and a sense of calmness well beyond his years, there's a good chance that Gerasimyuk could see more time in the VHL during the upcoming season.

As it has been since his U16 days, he's expected to continue in St. Petersburg's system.

Jakub Kos (6th round, 184th overall)

Position:LW/C

2022-23 Team: Ilves (Liiga) / KOOVEE (Mestis)

Kos made a splash on the international stage in 2022-23.

Starring for Czechia at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship, the 6-foot-3, 187-pound forward tallied five points (two goals, three assists) in seven games, including scoring the game-tying goal in the third period of the gold-medal game to force overtime against Canada.

Going on to win silver, Kos helped the Czechs not only capture their first medal since taking home bronze back in 2005, but also played a big role in putting the team in postion to play for gold for the first time since 2001.

"The whole team gives us that motivation," Kos told IIHF.com afterwards. "Everybody knows that we have that thing in our team, that we can do everything. I've said many times, I'm so proud of this team and for the whole team. Of course, the players are on the ice, but people don't see the other people who care about the team. So I would like to thank everybody."

Spending the majority of the season with KOOVEE in Mestis, the second-tier league in Finland, Kos, who turned 20 in May, logged 19 points (four goals, 15 assists) in 24 games. He also got a taste of the action in the country's top circuit, Liiga, where he took the ice for three contests.

In March, Kos' season came to an abrupt end when he suffered a neck injury after being pushed head-first into the boards during a game with KOOVEE. Thankfully, a few days after the incident, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said that he was told the "news is positive" on Kos' recovery.

More updates on Kos are expected prior to the start of the 2023-24 season.

If he's good to go, the promising young forward will likely try to carve out more time in Liiga.

Braden Haché (7th round, 210th overall)

Position: D

2022-23 Team:Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) / Barrie Colts (OHL)

Haché posted career-best marks during is fourth season in the OHL.

Shipped from Kingston to Barrie in January, the 20-year-old rearguard finished with 19 points (four goals, 15 assist) in 68 games split between the two stops. Put in a great spot after the trade, he amassed a +28 rating while playing on Barrie's top pairing alongside Los Angeles Kings' 2021 first-round pick Brandt Clarke.

In the OHL playoffs, Haché ranked second among Colts blueliners with nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 13 games. Always bringing a physical edge to the ice, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound native of Newmarket, Ontario also finished second on the team in penalty minutes with 21.

In 152 career games in the OHL, Haché has posted six goals, 23 assists and 211 shots on goal.