Could Martin Necas be a fit with the Devils or Flames? What are the Canadiens’ best trade assets? What are possible destinations for the Golden Knights’ notable UFAs? Find out in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
COULD MARTIN NECAS BE A FIT WITH THE DEVILS OR FLAMES?
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman speculating that the Carolina Hurricanes could attempt to move Martin Necas. The 25-year-old winger is slated to become a restricted free agent on July 1. Friedman doubts the Hurricanes will offer him a new contract and could trade him this summer.
The Devils have a hole among their top-six forwards after trading Tyler Toffoli to Winnipeg before the trade deadline. Necas could help them address that problem. However, he could also prove costly to sign and the Hurricanes could seek an expensive return.
Nichols examined the pros and cons of acquiring Necas. He thinks the Devils should be interested if he becomes available, but only at the right price.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Acquiring or signing a starting goaltender will be the priority for Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald, followed by a defenseman. With $18 million in projected cap space and 15 active roster players under contract, there won’t be enough to add a top-six forward.
CALGARY HOCKEY NOW: Trevor Neufeld thinks Necas could be a good addition to the Flames’ forward lines but ultimately they should pass on him.
Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas (NHL Images).
Neufeld believes Necas’ next contract could cost over $7 million annually, taking a big chunk out of the Flames’ $19 million in cap room. He also believes the Hurricanes’ asking price would be expensive.
Necas doesn’t play a hardnosed style. It could also be the wrong time for the Flames to add an established forward if management is rebuilding the roster.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s hard to determine what Flames GM Craig Conroy has in store for his roster.
Trading away Elias Lindholm, Chris Tanev and Noah Hanifin and attempting to move Jacob Markstrom screams “rebuild”. Nevertheless, they have veterans Jonathan Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri on long-term contracts plus several good young players on their roster and others in their pipeline, suggesting a retooling could be in order.
Adding Necas could fit into a roster retool for the Flames. However, Neufeld is likely correct that he wouldn’t fit into Conroy’s plans
WHAT ARE THE CANADIENS’ BEST TRADE ASSETS?
MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marco D’Amico recently looked at the Canadiens’ best assets to use as trade bait heading into the NHL Draft next month in Las Vegas.
The first-round pick acquired from the Winnipeg Jets in the Sean Monahan trade could be bundled with one or two assets to bring in a scoring forward. They could also part with one of the two first-round picks they hold in the 2025 draft.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The pick from the Jets is one of their best trade chips. It’ll be surprising if the Canadiens part with their own first-rounder (fifth overall) in this year’s draft. That will likely be used to select a promising young scoring forward.
They could draw on their plethora of promising young defensemen. D’Amico mentioned Justin Barron, Jordan Harris, Jayden Struble, and potentially Adam Enstrom or Logan Mailloux.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: One of those young defensemen could be packaged with the Jets pick to bring in a scorer.
Trade partners could ask for Kaiden Guhle, Lane Hutson or David Reinbacher but they’re unlikely to be on the table. Guhle is well-established among their top four. Hutson and Reinbacher are their most talented prospects and could be in the lineup as early as next season.
D’Amico also suggested a veteran defenseman like David Savard or Mike Matheson could be dangled. They could also draw on prospects such as Filip Mesar, Owen Beck or Joshua Roy.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Savard is entering the final season of his contract. He will likely be shopped at next season’s trade deadline if the Canadiens are out of playoff contention by then.
Some Habs fans are begging Hughes to trade Matheson while his value is high. However, he’s a local boy with two years left on his contract and an invaluable part of their defense corps. Matheson’s skills and experience should ensure his place with the Canadiens.
DESTINATIONS FOR THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS’ TOP UFAS
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Julian Gaudio recently looked at possible destinations for the Vegas Golden Knights’ notable unrestricted free agents if they aren’t signed to new contracts by July 1.
Jonathan Marchessault could interest the Detroit Red Wings. Alec Martinez could see a reunion with the Los Angeles Kings or land with the Devils or Edmonton Oilers.
The San Jose Sharks or Utah could use a skilled shooter like Anthony Mantha. William Carrier could be an affordable addition to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Flames could target Michael Amadio.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Golden Knights could keep one or two of these players depending on the cost. If they re-sign Marchessault, the others won’t be back because they won’t be able to afford them.