Two teams, battling on the Eastern Conference playoff bubble, making a deadline-day swap involving important current pieces of their roster? What year is it? The Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers made a legitimate hockey trade Monday. And, as far as deadline moves go, it’s a complex one. The Hurricanes sent centers Lucas Wallmark and Erik Haula plus prospects Eetu Luostarinen and Chase Priskie to the Panthers for center Vincent Trocheck.
It’s simple enough from the Hurricanes’ perspective. Assuming they can figure out their injury-ravaged net situation, they believe they’re legitimate Stanley Cup contenders this season, and they add a significant piece to their forward group in Trocheck.