Martin Necas' name might be off the trade block, at least for now, following the news on Monday afternoon that he agreed to terms on a two-year deal worth $13 million ($6.5 million AAV) with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Over the past couple of months, several teams have shown interest in the talented forward, including the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets have been eager to bolster their scoring lineup, especially after losing Tyler Toffoli and Sean Monahan on the opening day of the NHL's free agency period earlier this month.
In a bid to acquire Necas, Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli reports that Winnipeg Jets General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff made a substantial offer to the Hurricanes. This package reportedly included a pair of former first-round picks�Rutger McGroarty (2022) and Cole Perfetti (2020)�along with a draft pick. However, the Jets were unable to secure the 25-year-old forward.
From the Jets' perspective, this was a significant offer, highlighting their determination to land an elite goal-scoring forward like Necas, who is coming off back-to-back seasons with over 20 goals�28 in 2022-23 and 24 in 2023-24.
Among the assets proposed, Rutger McGroarty was particularly notable. The Jets' 2022 first-round pick had expressed a strong desire to sign his entry-level contract and join the team in April, essentially seeking a guaranteed path to playing time. However, the Jets had different plans for his development, as noted in an article from The Athletic.
The situation remains fluid, and it will be interesting to monitor developments from both sides in the coming months. While it seems less likely that Necas will be traded before the start of the 2024-25 campaign, his potential fit with the Winnipeg Jets could still be a topic of discussion, albeit with a hefty price tag attached.
For now, Necas will continue to be a key piece for the Hurricanes, but the Jets' willingness to go all out for his services demonstrates their commitment to building a competitive roster for the upcoming season.
POLL | ||
Do you think that would have been a fair package for Martin Necas? | ||
Yes | 8 | 27.6 % |
No | 3 | 10.3 % |
Would've been a bit of an overpay | 18 | 62.1 % |
List of polls |