Carolina Hurricanes Make Big Move With Martin Necas

For most of June and into July, it seemed that the Carolina Hurricanes and Martin Necas were about to part ways, as a trade, from numerous reports, seemed inevitable. Now, the two sides have agreed on a bridge contract, avoiding arbitration for the restricted free agent.

The Hurricanes have signed Martin Necas to a 2-year, $6.5 million AAV contract extension 💰 pic.twitter.com/9OIG9iSL81
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) July 29, 2024

It's a two-year extension with a $6.5 million AAV.

Whether or not this changes the dynamic with Necas and the team remains to be seen. After his time on ice and production went down this past season after a breakout 28-goal year in 2022-23, Necas (and his father) put out word that he'd like to move on and get a fresh start elsewhere.

Reports from insiders around the time of the NHL Draft made it seem as if a trade was imminent, but nothing came to fruition.

Now the 25-year-old former first-round pick (12th overall, 2017), will apparently go into the new season back in Raleigh.

He finished this past year with 24 goals and 29 assists for 53 points, while playing 17:21 minutes per game, down from 18:25 during his breakthrough 71-point campaign a year before.

“Martin is an immensely skilled player who provides a scoring threat whenever the puck is on his stick,” Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky said. “He will play a key role in the continued success of our franchise, and we’re excited to have a multiyear contract done.”

Seth Jarvis is now the lone Carolina player whose contract still needs to be worked out.