The New Jersey Devils are actively exploring the possibility of acquiring Martin Necas from the Carolina Hurricanes, according to a recent report. The Devils are considering using their 10th overall pick in the upcoming NHL Draft as a potential centerpiece for the trade, aiming to make a significant impact with this move.
Frank Seravalli, an insider from DailyFaceoff, provided insights suggesting that the Hurricanes’ new GM, Eric Tulsky, is actively fielding offers for Necas while also managing other significant team matters. This includes efforts to retain Jake Guentzel, negotiate an extension with Seth Jarvis, and navigate his inaugural NHL Draft as a manager.
Seravalli hinted that the Devils have expressed interest in Necas, possibly using their high draft pick as a starting point for negotiations. However, any potential deal is likely to hinge on how the draft unfolds and which players become available. Several other NHL teams, including the Columbus Blue Jackets, Calgary Flames, Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, and Nashville Predators, are also monitoring Necas’s situation closely.
For the Devils, the pursuit of Necas underscores their strategy to bolster their top-six forward lineup following the departure of Tyler Toffoli, who was traded away during the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline. Necas, despite experiencing a slight statistical decline in the past season with 24 goals and 53 points, remains an attractive target due to his proven scoring ability and potential for growth.
Securing Necas would mark just the beginning of the negotiation process for the Devils, as they would need to agree on contract terms with the restricted free agent. AFP Analytics has projected two possible contract scenarios for Necas: a shorter three-year deal with an average annual value (AAV) of approximately $6.24 million, or a longer seven-year deal with an AAV around $7.52 million.
However, the Devils are aware that offering only the 10th overall pick might not suffice to seal the deal for Necas. They anticipate additional negotiations and possibly involving other assets to finalize the trade.
Looking ahead, the Devils are preparing for the 2024-25 season opener against the Buffalo Sabres in Prague, Czech Republic, Necas’s home country. This geographical connection could add further intrigue to their pursuit of the Czech forward.
the Devils are actively pursuing Martin Necas as part of their strategy to strengthen their offensive lineup, potentially leveraging their 10th overall draft pick as a starting point in negotiations with the Carolina Hurricanes. The outcome of this pursuit will depend on how events unfold during the NHL Draft and subsequent discussions between the two teams.