Report: RFA Martin Necas "High on Shortlist" For Atlantic Division Team

After taking a bit of a step back following his breakout season last year, it's pretty certain that Martin Necas's days in Carolina are at an end. Rumors have already been flying, sparked in part by Necas's own father saying that his son prefers to move on to greener pastures and a better opportunity elsewhere.

A number of teams have been floated as destinations, but the latest rumor has the Montreal Canadiens already sniffing around on the 25-year-old and his RFA status.

A source close to the situation has confirmed that the Montreal Canadiens have checked in on Necas’ availability and that he would be high on their shortlist of players to acquire this summer.

Necas's ice time dropped by a full minute this season (to 17:21) on a crowded Hurricanes roster, and, accordingly, his production did as well, from career-highs last year of 28 goals and 71 points, down to 24 goals and 53 points.

At 25, the former first-rounder is right around the same age bracket and timeline for a rebuilding Canadiens' club, would have plenty more opportunities there, and per Marco D'Amico of Montreal Hockey Now, "it wouldn’t be surprising to see them be aggressive in acquiring him, as his skillset fit precisely into what Montreal is looking to add," that is, a young, affordable scorer with upside.

D'Amico holds up Nick Suzuki’s current $7.85M cap hit as a comp on a potential 8-year deal, and if those terms are agreeable to Necas, he figures a sign-and-trade could be the tact for GM Kent Hughes to take to make this happen.

He will have competition, however, as several other teams are said to have interest in Necas, including the Calgary Flames, Philadelphia Flyers, Nashville Predators, San Jose Sharks and the Utah club.