5 Potential Trade Partners if the Hurricanes Trade Martin Necas

Buffalo Sabres

Constantly trying to find the right balance in their lineup, the Buffalo Sabres will be tinkering again this offseason. With Jeff Skinner potentially on his way out, Martin Necas could step in as one of the prominent forwards on the top line. 

Even if they decide to hang onto Skinner instead of trading him or buying him out, the Sabres can still find a way to add Necas. Buffalo has over $23 million in cap space and a few extra picks over the next two drafts. Combined with a top-rated prospect, that could be the package the Canes are looking for. 

Arguably, no team has underachieved more than the Sabres over the past few years. Necas gets Buffalo closer, but they can't put all their eggs in his basket either. 

Montreal Canadiens

The rudderless Montreal Canadiens are in this basement-dwelling position thanks in part to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Canes brass inked Jesperi Kotkaniemi to an offer sheet a year after the Habs failed to poach Sebastian Aho under the same circumstances. Carolina can fleece their Atlantic Division counterparts again if they trade Martin Necas to its new rival. 

Although the Canadiens have been linked to the Hurricanes in the Necas rumor mill, that's often the case for the die-hard fanbase looking to revamp their roster. Montreal has more pressing needs that require fixing, including insulating their defensive corps and upgrading their goaltending. 

Montreal would benefit from adding Necas to their forward corps, but they can't afford to mortgage any future pieces. So unless the Canes are looking to offload Necas at a discounted rate, he appears destined for another locale.

Winnipeg Jets

The Winnipeg Jets have gotten ample production out of their top line, but they'll need to make adjustments to the middle six. That's particularly true if they aren't planning on re-signing Sean Monahan or trading away Nikolaj Ehlers this offseason. 

Between Monahan, Ehlers, and Tyler Toffoli, who also hits free agency on July 1, the Jets potentially lose three of their top six point-getters from last season. In absolute terms, that trio accounted for 175 points and 84 goals, representing 32.4% of the Jets' 259 tallies.

Martin Necas has recorded a combined 52 goals over the previous two seasons, crossing the 20-goal threshold both times. He'd fit in well in Winnipeg, and the Jets could desperately need a winger of Necas' caliber. 

Utah Hockey Club

If Ryan Smith is serious about winning, he must be involved in trade talks for any skilled forward on the market. That includes putting the Utah Hockey Club's best foot forward in pursuit of Martin Necas. Utah's offensive cupboards are bare. The team has a handful of secondary contributors but needs an offensive catalyst to upgrade their chances next season.

Necas isn't the be-all solution for the newly minted Utah Hockey Club, but he would be a much-needed upgrade to their top-six. With 13 picks in the 2024 NHL Draft and ten more in next year's, Utah has the draft capital to make a deal happen. 

Buffalo Sabres

Constantly trying to find the right balance in their lineup, the Buffalo Sabres will be tinkering again this offseason. With Jeff Skinner potentially on his way out, Martin Necas could step in as one of the prominent forwards on the top line. 

Even if they decide to hang onto Skinner instead of trading him or buying him out, the Sabres can still find a way to add Necas. Buffalo has over $23 million in cap space and a few extra picks over the next two drafts. Combined with a top-rated prospect, that could be the package the Canes are looking for. 

Arguably, no team has underachieved more than the Sabres over the past few years. Necas gets Buffalo closer, but they can't put all their eggs in his basket either.