Apr 14, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas (88) skates against the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center. Photo: Jamie Sabau/USA TODAY Sports
This offseason is an important one for the Chicago Blackhawks. Kyle Davidson has gone on record regarding the team needing to show tangible improvement in the third year of a rebuild. In 2024-25, the Blackhawks’ on-ice results need to improve over last season.
With a need to shake up their core, the Carolina Hurricanes have reportedly been listening on several players. One in particular very much aligns with what Davidson and the Blackhawks want to do. Martin Necas, coming off his second-best season as an NHLer, is due a $3.5 million qualifying offer as a restricted free agent. Perhaps the Blackhawks make sense as a potential fit if Carolina looks to move the Czech forward?
Per TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, that’s exactly the case. Between five and seven teams have reportedly checked in on Necas’s availability, and the Blackhawks were one of those teams.
LeBrun on Necas (Insider Trading): “I’m told 5-7 teams invite intriguing possibilities for the Hurricanes, but no one has gone up to the price they’d like to see. Winnipeg.. Chicago, Boston, Montreal among the teams that have inquired”
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) June 12, 2024
It makes plenty of sense for the Blackhawks to inquire. Necas is only 25 years old, and with his RFA eligibility, he can be controlled for the next year or so if the Blackhawks want to keep him on the same timeline as the rest of the roster. Although some of the bigger unrestricted free agents will cost dollars and term, Necas could be had for a reasonable amount of money and term. Sure, the cap has increased going into this summer, but Davidson might not want to tap into the extra space just yet. However, acquiring Necas’s rights will naturally cost assets.
What would it take to trade for Necas? As it stands, the Hurricanes view Necas as a “budding star” and will expect a substantial return. As noted by Jeff Marek on a recent episode of “32 Thoughts: The Podcast,” Carolina would likely seek more than just prospects.
Friedman on 32TP: “Carolina is letting people know that they consider Necas a budding star and that’s the kind of return they want…Star power is what they want in return, I heard”
Marek: “Okay, so we’re not dealing with picks and prospects here”
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) June 7, 2024
For the Blackhawks, Taylor Raddysh could be a starting point for Necas’ services. Additionally, an Andreas Athanasiou-type player, and potentially a defenseman, would be required. If that plus a draft pick is the potential price, is it really worth it for Chicago?
Certainly Kyle Davidson is doing his due diligence, but if the price is too steep, one has to think he’ll balk at Carolina’s demands and continue looking for other means to improve the roster.
