The Chicago Blackhawks are reportedly targeting Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas this offseason, a move that aligns with their need for a dynamic offensive threat as they rebuild toward playoff contention.
Necas, set to become a restricted free agent, put up impressive numbers last season with 24 goals and 29 assists. The 25-year-old’s scoring touch and playmaking abilities would be a welcome addition to a Blackhawks roster seeking more offensive firepower.
However, the Hurricanes face a cap crunch with several key players needing new contracts, making Necas a potential trade chip. Carolina is reportedly seeking a “hockey trade” rather than draft picks or prospects, prioritizing immediate help for their contending roster. This poses a challenge for Chicago, whose most valuable trade assets are future-oriented.
While the Blackhawks possess draft capital and promising prospects, their current roster lacks players likely to entice a win-now team like Carolina. Veterans Jason Dickinson, Nick Foligno, and Seth Jones could theoretically be included in a deal, but Dickinson’s recent performance may be an outlier, Foligno is aging, and Jones carries a significant contract.
The situation presents a classic dilemma for the Blackhawks: how to acquire a player perfectly suited to their needs when their assets don’t align with the selling team’s desires. Whether General Manager Kyle Davidson can find a creative solution remains to be seen, but the pursuit of Necas underscores Chicago’s commitment to accelerating their rebuild through targeted acquisitions.