The Carolina Hurricanes have acquired forward Vincent Trocheck from the Florida Panthers for forwards Erik Haula, Lucas Wallmark and Eetu Luostarinen, plus defenseman Chase Priskie.
Trocheck has been a solid second line center in his career for the Panthers. However, a fractured ankle suffered early last season has derailed his play, and he has not been the same player since. He is on an 82 game pace for 15 goals and 54 points this year, which is not good considering his 31 goal, 75 point season just two years ago. He will improve the Hurricanes\’ middle six regardless. They give up four players, but no big prospects, and two NHL players that are on expiring contracts. Haula will be a UFA, Wallmark an RFA. They don\’t give up any draft picks, either. Trocheck is not a great defensive center, though. After 2019-20, he has two more years left under contract with a cap hit of $4.75 million.
Trocheck, 26, has scored 10 goals with 26 assists for 36 points in 55 games this year. In his NHL career, all in Florida, Trocheck has scored 111 goals with 172 assists for 282 points in 420 games.
This return seems very low for the Panthers. Haula won\’t be on the team by July 1st. Wallmark is a decent bottom six center, but is a big step down from Trocheck. Neither Priskie or Luostarinen are big prospects. Haula scored 29 goals with Vegas two seasons ago, but like Trocheck, suffered a big injury, and has struggled since. He has been back down to third line production this year. Priskie was a former 6th rounder who did not sign with the Capitals and played four seasons at Quinnipiac instead. He is in the AHL currently. A 2017 2nd rounder, Luostarinen made his NHL debut this year but has been unimpressive in the AHL.
Haula, 28, has scored 12 goals with 10 assists for 22 points in 41 games for the Hurricanes this year. In his NHL career for the Hurricanes, Vegas Golden Knights and the Minnesota Wild, Haula has scored 85 goals with 88 assists for 173 points in 398 games.
Wallmark, 24, has scored 11 goals with 12 assists for 23 points in 60 games this season. In his NHL career, all in Carolina, Wallmark has scored 22 goals with 32 assists for 54 points in 160 games.
Priskie, 23, has scored six goals with 25 assists for 31 points in 52 games for the AHL\’s Charlotte Checkers this year. Last year for Quinnipiac, he scored 17 goals with 22 assists for 39 points in 36 games.
Luostarinen, 21, had one point, an assist, in eight NHL games this year. For Charlotte this season Luostarinen has eight goals with 17 assists for 25 points in 44 games.
CarterHud 