The Philadelphia Flyers are interested in trading for Martin Necas from the Carolina Hurricanes. However, the high cost and complications with fitting him into their team make the trade difficult to achieve.
Key Takeaways:
- The Philadelphia Flyers want to trade for Martin Necas from the Carolina Hurricanes.
- The trade is difficult because of high demands and salary cap issues.
- Both teams have complex needs and financial concerns, making the trade uncertain.
Trade Discussions Between Flyers and Hurricanes
According to The Athletic, the Philadelphia Flyers have inquired about trading for forward Martin Necas from the Carolina Hurricanes.
Necas, a 25-year-old restricted free agent with arbitration rights, has garnered significant interest in the trade market, second only to Toronto Maple Leafs’ Mitch Marner.
The writing seems to be on the wall for Necas to leave Carolina, with several teams, including the Vancouver Canucks, expressing interest.
Flyers Face High Trade Demands for Martin Necas
The Hurricanes’ demands for Necas are high. Reports indicate they are not interested in a trade involving just Canucks defenseman Filip Hronek, suggesting a steep price tag for Necas.
Flyers GM Danny Briere, speaking with Pierre LeBrun, indicated that while the team is open to trades, their options are limited due to existing cap constraints.
“I would say don’t expect much movement from us, as far as free agency,” Briere said.
“But you know, we’re always open to hockey trades if there’s something that makes sense to help our team, both in the future but also in the short term if it fits our timeline.”
Necas’ Potential Role with the Flyers
Necas’ role as a winger, despite being officially listed as a center, raises questions about his fit with the Flyers.
The primary consideration is whether he can be a top-two center when the Flyers’ window to compete for the Stanley Cup opens, likely in a few years.
During the recent IIHF World Championships, Necas played on the wing, contributing one goal and six assists in five games.
An NHL scout noted via text that acquiring Necas and transitioning him to center carries “some risk” but could be worthwhile.
Salary Cap Implications of Necas’ Potential Contract
Necas, as a restricted free agent, would need a new contract. AFP Analytics projects a long-term deal at seven years and $7.5 million AAV or a short-term deal at three years with a $6.2 million cap hit.
The Flyers, already near the cap limit, must also consider a potential extension for Travis Konecny, estimated at eight years and $9 million AAV.
If the Flyers extend Konecny and acquire Necas, they would have a core including Sean Couturier, Owen Tippett, and Travis Sanheim signed beyond 2027-28.
Cam York and Tyson Foerster are also expected to be extended soon.
Trade Challenges & Strategy for Acquiring Martin Necas
The cost of acquiring Necas remains a significant hurdle. Past trade offers involving Necas included elite players like Vancouver’s Elias Pettersson and then-Flames forward Mathew Tkachuk.
The Flyers lack comparable players, with Konecny being the closest match, but a one-for-one deal seems unlikely due to Carolina’s salary structure and their other contractual commitments.
To make a Necas trade feasible, the Flyers would need to offload their salary. Joel Farabee’s $5 million cap hit over the next three seasons is a likely candidate, but additional assets would be necessary.
Scott Laughton and his $3 million cap hit might also be considered, but this still might not meet Carolina’s demands.
Former Hurricanes president and GM Don Waddell emphasized the team’s need for a right-shot center, further complicating potential trades involving left-shooting players like Laughton and Morgan Frost.
Additionally, the Hurricanes’ need for a No. 1 goaltender and the Flyers’ reluctance to part with Sam Ersson, who has shown promise despite recent struggles, adds another layer of complexity.
Potential for a Martin Necas Trade
Given these factors, the Flyers seem unlikely to trade Martin Necas.
While Briere might explore creative solutions, the current landscape suggests significant challenges in meeting Carolina’s demands and fitting Necas into the Flyers’ long-term plans.
However, nothing is entirely off the table in the unpredictable world of NHL trades.
