Carolina Hurricanes Trade NCAA Star to Divisional Rival After He Refused to Sign

Despite the Trade Deadline having been in the books for several weeks, a transaction has been completed between the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Hurricanes sent prospect Lucas Mercuri to the Lightning in exchange for Tampa's 6th round pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.

Murcuri was originally taken by the Hurricanes with the 159th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He has 31 points (10G, 21A) in 40 games with the University of Massachusetts this year.

The trade to the Lightning comes just days after he informed the Hurricanes that he would not re-sign with them during the summer.

The Hurricanes took a major swing for the fences when they acquired star forward Mikko Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche, sending Martin Necas, Jack Drury and draft capital back to the Avalanche in return.

But Rantanen wouldn't commit to signing a long-term extension with the Hurricanes, and rather than risk losing him for nothing on the open free agent market in the summer, Waddell took the prudent course and sent him to the Dallas Stars.

In return, the Hurricanes received Logan Stankhoven, a conditional 1st round pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, a conditional 1st round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft, a 3rd round pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, and a 3rd round pick in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft.

The Hurricanes also acquired Taylor Hall from the Chicago Blackhawks.