Insider reveals three teams still in the mix for Carolina's Martin Necas

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Cooper Godin
June 23, 2024 (7:37)

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The NHL Entry Draft is less than a week away and trade talks are heating up around the league including on Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas.

Necas can become a restricted free agent on July 1st, but it's widely expected that before that date rolls around, the Czech forward will be a part of another organization in the NHL.

On Saturday, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period gave an update on Martin Necas' situation with Carolina, saying that the Hurricanes are looking to make a hockey trade and don't want a package with futures, such as prospects and draft picks.

Pagnotta added that among the teams still in the mix for Martin Necas are the Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators and Seattle Kraken, all of whom need scoring help this summer.

"As the Hurricanes carry out trade talks with teams about Martin Necas, the word is Carolina is looking to complete a 'hockey trade' not a deal strictly for future assets. Teams like Nashville, Seattle, Montreal among those still believed to be in the mix."

Necas, 25, took a step back this season in terms of overall point production but still managed to record his second consecutive campaign with 20 or more goals. In 77 games, the Nove Mesto na Morave, Czechia native had 53 points (24 goals, 29 assists), 42 penalty minutes and was a minus-nine. He went on to add nine points in 11 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Of the three teams Pagnotta mentioned, the one in most desperate need of scoring help and someone to play in their top-six is the Montreal Canadiens. Adding Necas to their top-six which features Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook would be a great move for General Manager Kent Hughes. But Pagnotta added that Necas isn't the only player the Canadiens continue to pursue.

Pagnotta says that the Canadiens remain in talks with the Anaheim Ducks about acquiring forward Trevor Zegras, who has two years remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $5.75 million.

"The Canadiens have continuously been linked to Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas and Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras and talks involving both players are believed to be ongoing." Pagnotta said.

We'll have to wait and see where things go on the Martin Necas front in the coming days, but it appears we could be getting closer to him being dealt by the Carolina Hurricanes and it couldn't be shocking to see something done by the start of the NHL Entry Draft on Friday.