Florida Panthers: Haula and Wallmark Adjusting Just Fine Post-Trade

On the day of the 2020 trade deadline, the Florida Panthers struck a significant deal with the Carolina Hurricanes, sending their No. 2 centerman over to Carolina.

In exchange for Vincent Trocheck’s services, the Florida Panthers received Erik Haula, Lucas Wallmark, and two AHL level prospects. But how have Haula and Wallmark played in Florida since being acquired from the Hurricanes?

Essentially, both Haula and Wallmark were experiencing relatively decent seasons with the Hurricanes prior to the trade to the Cats. While playing in 41 games for Carolina, Haula produced 12 goals as well as 10 assists for 22 total points, putting himself on pace for a 44-point campaign if he were fully healthy.

In regards to Lucas Wallmark, the native of Sweden was also performing rather decently in a bottom-six role for the Canes before the deadline deal. While participating in 60 games for Carolina, Wallmark tallied a slash line of 11 goals as well as 12 assists for 23 total points on the year.

The Panthers essentially upgraded their center depth with the acquisitions of Wallmark and Haula by simply parting with the struggling Trocheck. However, both players have experienced their fair share of struggles on the offensive end since joining the Cats.

Both Haula and Wallmark have combined for only one point (assist) in 4 games with the Cats since the trade. Despite performing well in the faceoff circle and on the defensive side, both players’ offensive output has run dry since their arrival, which seems to be a team problem (as of late) rather than an individual one.

With roughly 18 regular-season games remaining before the playoffs, Coach Q will need Haula and Wallmark to step up and produce some offense. If the two Europeans can make the necessary adjustments and capitalize on their scoring chances, then the Panthers might have a chance at slowly climbing the standings, despite the odds heavily stacked up against them.

In addition, with Haula’s current contract set to expire following the conclusion of the 2020 season, the Panthers could potentially re-sign the Finn if he rediscovers his 2018 Vegas Golden Knights form. During that season (2017-18), Haula registered a solid line of 29 goals as well as 26 assists for 55 total points in only 76 games for the inaugural Golden Knights.

The Cats absolutely hope that Haula can find a home on their top-six forward unit and revert to the dynamic scorer that he once was in Vegas. As for Wallmark, the 24-year-old is set to become a restricted free agent following the end of this season.

Wallmark has established himself as a potent bottom-six center, capable of playing both ends of the ice relatively well. Wallmark recorded a career-high point total of 28 last year and is on pace to shatter that total in 2020 with a current point total of 23, thus far.

Despite the slow yet gradual start for both players in a small sample size, the Florida Panthers will certainly require that they both take off once they adjust to their new surroundings. With playoffs remaining a huge doubt, the pressure for both to immediately explode offensively is relatively (and understandably) low.