Necas reportedly rejected contract extension as part of a now-failed trade

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Cooper Godin
July 30, 2024 (10:10)

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Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas reportedly rejected a contract extension with an Atlantic Division team as part of a now-failed trade.

Throughout the last couple of months, Martin Necas' name has come up in trade rumours and many expected him to be moved by the Carolina Hurricanes before the start of the 2024-25 season. There was plenty of interest in the 25-year-old forward but for now, it appears he'll be remaining with the Hurricanes.

On Monday, Necas and the Carolina Hurricanes agreed to terms on a two-year contract worth $6.5 million per season. While a trade is certainly still possible, it's more likely than not that Necas will be with the Hurricanes when opening night rolls around in October.

After the news of Martin Necas' contract with the Carolina Hurricanes, Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff revealed that the Czech forward reportedly turned down an extension as part of a now-failed deal with the Buffalo Sabres. It's unclear what the Sabres would have sent back to the Hurricanes in the proposed trade.

"The Buffalo Sabres reportedly had an offer on the table for Martin Necas that may have been accepted, but Necas informed the Sabres he wasn't interested in re-signing in Buffalo. Per, Frank Seravalli." TheMug said.

Bringing in an elite forward like Martin Necas could've been the extra piece that the Buffalo Sabres have been looking for, but it's not surprising to see him reject a contract extension. The Sabres will be in tough in the Atlantic Division again next season and Necas likely wants to be with a team that's almost guaranteed to be in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the safe bet was to remain in Carolina.

Necas, a native of Nove Mesto na Morave, Czechia, appeared in 77 games during the regular season in 2023-24 where he put up 53 points (24 goals, 29 assists), 42 penalty minutes and was a minus-nine. He went on to add nine points (four goals, five assists) in 11 games during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Carolina Hurricanes are probably very happy they were able to lock up Martin Necas on a two-year contract. We'll have to wait and see how the season unfolds in Carolina and if trade rumours start to swirl once again towards the deadline, depending on the Hurricanes' position in the standings.