Perhaps the hottest name on the NHL trade market ahead of free agency is Carolina Hurricanes center Martin Necas. The 25-year-old will be a restricted free agent on July 1 and there is every indication that the Canes have no problem trading his rights to another team.

There have been several reports suggesting that the Hurricanes will trade Necas relatively soon, maybe even before the Stanley Cup Final begins on Saturday. Regardless, there are at least a dozen teams who are interested in Necas, according to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun.

Among those teams are the Montreal Canadiens and Philadelphia Flyers, two Eastern Conference franchises that have failed to make the playoffs in the last three seasons. LeBrun recently spoke to Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes who hinted at making a flashy move this offseason. Montreal reportedly has their eyes on a deal for Necas.

“Hughes obviously can’t comment on players from other teams as per the NHL’s tampering rules, but other league sources suggest Montreal has inquired with the Carolina Hurricanes on Martin Necas, as have half the teams in the NHL,” LeBrun said.

Trading for a proven 20-goal scorer would be a step in the right direction for the Canadiens. After failing to top 31 wins the last three years, Montreal anticipates being in the playoff hunt next season with the right additions.

Flyers feeling out the trade market

The Flyers played above expectations for much of the 2023-24 season but bottomed out in March and failed to reach the playoffs. Playing postseason hockey isn’t out of the question for Philly in 2025, but their salary cap situation doesn’t give them much to work with on the open market this offseason.

General manager Danny Briere was vocal about what kind of additions the Flyers could make this summer. With eight first and second-round picks in the next two drafts, Philly can be aggressive on the trade market this offseason. Briere has been adamant since he took over that the move has to make sense for the Flyers' long-term plans.

“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.”

Philly's top priority this summer might be to extend Travis Konecny and there are rumors that 2023 first-round pick Matvei Michkov might be able to join the team next season. If Michkov does come over from Russia, it could speed up the Flyers' plans and incentivize them to make a meaningful trade.

Martin Necas awaiting his next move

Necas no doubt is ready to get paid after showing his value with Carolina. The 2017 first-round pick struggled to establish himself early in his NHL career but proved to be a solid talent over the last two seasons. Necas scored 52 goals and registered 124 points in the last two seasons, adding 16 points in 27 playoff games.

Almost every team can use a player of his caliber and with his age, he can still show improvements over the next few years if he finds the right environment. Necas has the potential to become a consistent 30-goal scorer.

It is no surprise that a multitude of teams are calling for his services. The Hurricanes have to be salivating at the possible trades they can pull off with Necas as the main piece.

A team acquiring Martin Necas before the 2024-25 NHL league year officially begins could prove to be one of the best under-the-radar moves of the offseason. If appears not a matter of if, but when he will be moved by Carolina.