Lightning and Hurricanes make rare post-deadline trade.

The Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes have struck a deal.

On Sunday, the Lightning officially announced that they had acquired 23 year old centerman Lucas Mercuri from the Carolina Hurricanes, and additionally that they had given up a sixth round draft pick to the Hurricanes in order to do so. That pick will be at this year's National Hockey League Entry Draft.

Mercuri was himself a sixth round pick (159th overall) of the Carolina Hurricanes back at the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, but has remained in college since being drafted to the NHL. Mercuri has spent the past 4 seasons with UMass-Amherst, most recently putting up 10 goals and 21 assists for a total of 31 points over 40 games this season.

Over his 4 seasons with UMass-Amherst, Mercuri would amass 28 goals and 57 assists for a total of 85 points over 148 games. He also showed some edge while a member of the Minutemen, earning himself an "A" on his jersey and amassing a total of 104 penalty minutes over his tenure.

It seems clear that the Lightning see potential in Mercuri given that they have signed him to a two-year entry level NHL contract, although it will be one that will not kick in until the start of the 2025-26 NHL season. 

In this deal the Hurricanes recoup the sixth round pick they used to draft Mercuri in the first place, but whether or not Mercuri will prove to be a more valuable asset down the road remains to be seen.