The Carolina Hurricanes remain interested in trading pending RFA forward Martin Necas and could pull the trigger on a deal before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on Saturday, Daily Faceoff hockey insider Frank Seravalli indicated on Monday.
Speaking with Jason Gregor and Tyler Yaremchuk on Monday’s edition of the DFO Rundown podcast, Seravalli listed the Hurricanes as his top “Team to Watch” heading into the 2024 offseason and added that he wouldn’t be surprised to see Necas moved this week.
Seravalli: I’m gonna go with Carolina. Not only do they have a new interim GM right now in Eric Tulsky — and, by the way, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Marty Necas dealt before Game 1 of the Cup Final on Saturday — they have a new GM and they’re also arriving at this inflection point with their roster. Skjei, Pesce: unrestricted free agents. Teravainen. Necas needs a new deal, Seth Jarvis needs a — like, they’ve got a ton of ongoing business, plus remaking their team, plus new GM, plus second-most wins in the league in the last six years. Like, this is a really good team that has hit a crossroads. I think they’re the most interesting team to watch this summer.
Necas, 25, has been consistently linked to the Canucks since the Hurricanes were knocked out of the playoffs by the New York Rangers in the second round. The 6’2″ forward collected 24 goals and 53 points in 77 games with the Hurricanes during the 2023-24 regular season before adding four goals and nine points in 11 playoff contests.
The Hurricanes originally selected Necas with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft. Through 362 career games over parts of seven NHL seasons with the Hurricanes, Necas has amassed 97 goals and 243 points; he’s tacked on 11 goals and 30 points in 59 playoff games.
The Canucks and Hurricanes make plenty of sense as potential trading partners, as both teams reached Round 2 in this year’s playoffs and have plenty of players in need of new contracts this summer. A natural centre dating back to his junior career, Necas would be an ideal fit for the Canucks if they lose Elias Lindholm to unrestricted free agency.
Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers will take place at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, FL and is scheduled for Saturday, June 8 at 5:00 p.m. PT.
