Report: Proposed Martin Necas Trade Fell Through At Draft

The Martin Necas situation has been swirling around the Carolina Hurricanes all month. The restricted free agent would like to turn the page with a fresh start elsewhere, and the Canes have spoken to just about every team in the league to see if there's a trade to their liking.

Just ahead of the Draft, the Columbus Blue Jackets made a last-ditch offer to make something work, but were turned away, according to insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. He reports that the Blue Jackets offered the 4th overall pick to Carolina, with the stipulation of working out a contract extension for Necas, but "things didn't work out."

Now, per Friedman, the impending loss of Jake Guentzel in unrestricted free agency may have the Hurricanes doing an about-face with Necas.

I’m wondering if there’s any chance Guentzel’s impending departure changes the Hurricanes’ mind on moving Necas. Maybe they go to arbitration and live with the number or negotiate a one-year deal.

Necas, 25, just completed his second consecutive 20+ goal season for Carolina, with 24 goals and 29 assists for 53 points in 77 games. That's strong, but still was down from his breakout campaign of 2022-23 when he potted a career-high 28 goals with 71 points. His time-on-ice dropped by about a minute per game this past season, and it all left the Czech-born forward (and his father) with a bad taste, and wanting a change of scenery.

The ball is still is the Hurricanes' court.