Keeping up with the former Blackhawks traded at the deadline

Lucas Carlsson –

FLORIDA: When this trade was first announced I honestly thought maybe Joel Quenneville was looking to bring back a defenseman he liked having in his system in the past. Then I looked it up, and found out Carlsson never played a game under Quenneville in Chicago – and that has not changed in Florida.

Carlsson has played seven games in the AHL with the Syracuse Crunch during which time he has had two goals and four assists. The young defenseman has been rather effective in the AHL but that game has not translated to the NHL yet.

If Carlsson was in Chicago it would probably be best if he was in the NHL, but Florida is not Chicago. They are a deeper team with a better defensive unit. Carlsson is a good player to have around should someone get injured during a potential playoff round, similar to the other player Florida acquired.

Lucas Wallmark –

FLORIDA: For the second straight season, Lucas Wallmark has been traded to the Florida Panthers at the deadline. Luckily Florida knew what they were getting into having traded for the same player again. Obviously, the two went on a nice playoff run last year after meeting in February, oh wait.

Last season, Wallmark played in seven games with Florida he registered a goal and an assist before the pause and he played in two post-season games registering no points. Wallmark has not been able to replicate the success he had with Carolina with Florida or Chicago, and that has not changed during his second stint with the team. Wallmark has gotten into four games with Florida and the best stat to mention is his faceoff percentage is at 57%.

Wallmark is a solid option to provide some depth for a team looking to make a post-season run. The fact that he is a center and can win some faceoff definitely provides some comfort for a team that is an injury or two away from needing someone in their lineup. When it comes to the playoffs the deeper lineup usually wins the longer the series goes.

I know I am going to be watching all these players in the playoffs. Personally, I am super excited to see how far Vegas or Colorado can get with their deep rosters. As well as the excitement to maybe see a battle of Florida in round one!