Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Trocheck gets traded to Hurricanes in 5-player deal
Looking for a spark to revitalize their playoff hopes, the Florida Panthers made a significant deal before the NHL trade deadline.
On Monday, the Panthers traded longtime center Vincent Trocheck to the Carolina Hurricanes for forwards Erik Haula and Lucas Wallmark. Hurricanes prospects Eetu Luostarinen and Chase Priskie are also coming to Florida in the deal. A 23-year-old defenseman, Priske is a Pembroke Pines native.
Teams had until 3 p.m. on Monday to complete any final trades this season.
“We acquired players with depth, versatility, and playoff experience,” said Panthers president of hockey operations Dale Tallon in a statement. “Haula and Wallmark give us more depth in the forward line and more options for our coaches as we continue our quest to make the playoffs this season.”
A third-round pick by the Panthers in 2011, Trocheck spent seven seasons with the team — highlighted by an All-Star appearance in 2017. During his time with Florida, he tallied 111 goals
and 171 assists in 420 games. This season, Trocheck has 10 goals and 26 assists in 55 games.
“It’s always a tough decision to part with one of our core young men. Vincent is a quality person and we thank him for his excellent work ethic and play and passion for the game,” Tallon said. “This deal helps us in the present and in the future as we strengthen our depth chart.”
The 26-year-old Trocheck had a breakout season in 2017-18, with career highs in goals (31) and assists (44) while playing in all 82 games.
“Vincent brings elements of skill and competitiveness that fit the mold of the style we want to play,” Hurricanes president and general manager Don Waddell said in a statement. “He’s a right-handed center who is excellent in the face-off circle. With two years left on his contract after this one, this fills a need for our roster for this year and moving forward.”
The struggling Panthers (32-24-6) are fighting for one of the Eastern Conference’s last playoff spots, trailing the Toronto Maple Leafs by two points in the Atlantic Division. Florida has languished since the All-Star Break, going just 4-8-1 in its last 13 games.
A seven-year veteran, Haula has 22 points (12 goals, 10 assists) in 41 games this season. He previously spent time with the Minnesota Wild and Vegas Golden Knights before moving to Carolina. The 28-year-old forward has plenty of postseason experience, playing in 44 playoff games during his career.
Wallmark, 24, has notched 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) in 60 games this season. A fourth-round pick in 2014, Wallmark has totalled 54 points (22 goals, 32 assists) during his four-year career.
Luostarinen and Priskie are both expected to report to AHL Springfield.
Panthers acquire prospect
In a second trade deadline move, Florida acquired prospect Emil Djuse from the Dallas Stars for a sixth-round pick. The 26-year-old defenseman is also expected to report to Springfield. Djuse has played in 48 games with Dallas’ AHL affiliate this season, posting 29 points (four goals, 25 assists).