The Most Recent NHL: the Carolina Hurricanes have been talking a lot about the 25-year-old RFA forward in trade speculations.

More than a week has passed since we first mentioned Martin Necas’ potential value as an off-season trade asset for the Carolina Hurricanes. Since then, NHL analysts have been talking a lot about the 25-year-old RFA forward in trade speculations.
Necas’ talent isn’t readily available, and although the Hurricanes don’t need to sell him, they would prefer a top player who can extend the team’s Cup window, according to Ryan Henkel, editor of Hockey News’ Carolina site. Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff ranked Necas fourth on his list of potential off-season trade targets. He said earlier this week that teams were eager to get the Hurricanes winger and that he might be dealt as early as Saturday. He predicted a frenzy of action leading up to the Stanley Cup final. Seravalli listed the Columbus Blue Jackets, Calgary Flames, and Vancouver Canucks as possible suitors.

Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet spoke with Donnie & Dhali on CHEK-TV about the Canucks’ connection to Necas. He stated that previously in the season, the two teams had considered a trade involving Elias Pettersson, in which Necas would have been received in return. Given that Pettersson re-signed with the Canucks, that offer is no longer on the table.
Friedman thinks Vancouver will have more difficulty acquiring Necas at this time. He claimed that the Hurricanes had set a lofty asking price and that they would require a trade that included one or two of the Canucks’ best prospects. Offering defenseman Filip Hronek, in Friedman’s opinion, won’t solve the problem.
Wes Gilbertson of the Calgary Sun believes the Flames would be keen to acquire Necas. But he saw that the Hurricanes’ asking price and the cost of re-signing him would raise questions.

The Philadelphia Flyers and Montreal Canadiens were reportedly among the teams enquiring about Necas, according to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic. Considering the Hurricanes’ “apple-for-apple” request, he is unsure if the Czech winger would be a good match for the Flyers. According to TVA Sports’ Jean-Charles Lajoie, in order to acquire young defenseman Arber Xhekaj, the Canadiens would need to give up a first- or second-round pick. Speaking on The Jeff Marek Show later in the week, Friedman expressed doubt that the Canucks and Canadiens had what it took to win the Necas trade. Marek stated he doubted the Hurricanes would be interested in the Buffalo Sabres’ many prospects and draft picks, which they might use as trade bait.

The Boston Bruins may try to trade Linus Ullmark, according to Friedman and Marek, who also mentioned that the two teams had spoken about moving the 30-year-old Vezina Trophy winner prior to the March trade deadline.

The Hurricanes will be looking for a dependable starter to split time in goal with Pyotr Kochetkov in the upcoming campaign. There, if Carolina is one of his acceptable trade destinations, Ullmark would be a nice fit. He might be asked to sign a contract extension by the Hurricanes. Stefen Rosner of The Hockey News believes Necas would fit in well with the New York Islanders. According to him, former Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell emphasized that the team needed a right-shot center to counterbalance their left-shot players. Would Jean-Gabriel Pageau be of interest to the current Hurricanes management? Rosner asked.