Blackhawks Trade possibility with Hurricanes takes big step

A notable figure emerging in their sights is Martin Necas, the Carolina Hurricanes center, whose current contract dilemmas and declining performance have sparked interest across the league.

At 25 years old, Martin Necas has reached a pivotal moment in his career. Drafted 12th overall by the Hurricanes in 2017, Necas showcased his peak potential in the 2022-2023 season, playing all 82 games and tallying 71 points from 28 goals and 43 assists. However, this year has seen a dip, with Necas scoring 53 points in 77 games. This decline comes at a crucial time as his two-year, $6 million contract draws to a close.

The center expressed his dissatisfaction and a strong desire to leave the Hurricanes, a sentiment amplified by the looming end of his current deal and his underutilization in roles he believes he deserves.

The Blackhawks see in Necas an opportunity to bolster their ranks, eyeing him either as a second-line center or a top-six winger. Such an addition would ideally complement Connor Bedard, enhancing the team's point production capabilities. Notably, Necas' aspirations align with the roles the Blackhawks could offer, particularly top-line positioning and first-unit power play time, areas where he feels underused in Carolina.

As a restricted free agent with arbitration rights, Necas' situation is complex. The Blackhawks, among other interested teams, are poised to negotiate with Hurricanes GM Don Waddell. The hope is to secure a trade, leveraging their assets and draft capital to present an irresistible offer.

As negotiations continue, the sports world watches closely to see if Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson can successfully negotiate a deal to bring Necas to Chicago. His ability to integrate into the Blackhawks and fulfill his top-line potential could indeed be a game-changer for both Necas and the Blackhawks as they aim to rebuild and strengthen their team dynamics.