Hurricanes Acquire Trocheck From Florida; Listed at 25-1 Odds to Win Stanley Cup

• The Carolina Hurricanes have acquired Vincent Trocheck from the Florida Panthers to improve scoring depth and strengthen their hold on a playoff spot.
• The Florida Panthers deal for Erik Haula and Lucas Wallmark to help them reach the Wild Card in the Eastern Conference.
• See the odds for the top contenders to win the Stanley Cup below

NHL Trade Deadline day is now complete as teams loaded up in hopes of bolstering their playoff hopes and looking to make a run for the Stanley Cup. The Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes completed a deal that sees forwards Erik Haula, Lucas Wallmark, and prospects Eetu Luostarinen and Chase Priskie go to Florida in exchange for Vincent Trocheck. With the addition, the Hurricanes Stanley Cup odds are now +2500.

2020 Stanley Cup Odds

Odds taken on Feb. 24.

Hurricanes Looking to Strengthen Hold on Second Wild Card Spot

In the Eastern Conference, the New York Islanders have 76 points and the Hurricanes currently sit in the second Wild Card Spot with 74 points. The Columbus Blue Jackets also have 74 points while the New York Rangers and then Panthers have 70 points.

In adding Trocheck, they get a right-handed center who is excellent in the face-off circle. He was third in face-off percentage (52.3%) for Florida. He had 10 goals and 26 assists in 55 games for the Panthers this season. He’s recorded 111 goals and 171 assists in 420 career games. Trocheck has two years remaining on his contract after this season at a salary-cap hit of $4.75 million.

Trocheck gives Carolina some much-needed depth and experience as they look to try and recapture 2019’s playoff success where they reached the Eastern Conference Final. Trocheck should help Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, and Teuvo Teravainen. Aho has 59 points in 61 games for the Hurricanes while Svechnikov, and Teravainen both have 57 points respectively.

Can Haula and Wallmark Push the Panthers Into the Playoffs?

With 70 points and currently outside the playoff bubble, the Panthers hope that this trade gives them a much-needed boost of depth, versatility, and playoff experience.

Haula has appeared in 41 games with Carolina, recording 22 points. In 44 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, Haula has posted 22 points. He was part of the Golden Knights first season and their run to the Stanley Cup Final where they lost to the Washington Capitals.

Wallmark, 24, has appeared in 60 games with Carolina, registering 23 points. His 11 goals are a career-high. Over 15 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, Wallmark has recorded five points. He was selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the fourth round, 97th overall, at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

Eetu Luostarinen and defenseman Chase Priskie are expected to report to Florida’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL). It’s not known as of yet if they will see time with the Panthers this season.

The Best Bet

The Hurricanes and Panthers both needed to add scoring depth and have done so in this trade. The Hurricanes get the better player in Vincent Trocheck but gave up a lot to get him. Does it help them make the postseason? Yes, it does but it doesn’t significantly improve their chances of reaching the Eastern Conference Final again or the Stanley Cup.

The Panthers are only four points behind Carolina for the second Wild Card spot and have a good chance to secure a spot as they fight with the Islanders, Hurricanes, Blue Jackets and Rangers. They won’t do much beyond the first round though. Go with the big bad Boston Bruins who are the current Stanley Cup favorites at +650.

Pick: Bruins to win Stanley Cup (+650)