The Carolina Hurricanes and Nashville Predators haven't been trade partners since back in July of 2021, when the Canes sent two second-round picks to the Preds in exchange for a first-rounder. Before that (besides another minor draft pick swap), there hadn't been a trade between the two franchises involving an actual player since June of 2008.

But that could potentially change in 2024, as each team owns a player who could be getting a change of scenery before next season. For Nashville, that's elite goaltender and franchise cornerstone Juuse Saros. And for Carolina, it's former first-rounder and star winger Martin Necas.

Although a one-for-one deal might not make sense here, according to The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta, Saros and Necas could provide the baseline for a larger blockbuster swap.

“On Necas, there are some around the League who wonder if the Predators will gain the inside track if they include goalie Juuse Saros in a (larger) trade,” the hockey insider speculated on Monday. “Nashville has known since mid-season what type of contract Saros is looking for – $8 million to $8.5 million per year on a long-term extension – and it still doesn’t sound like they are overly interested in dishing out that contract.”

If that reporting is true, and the Predators would rather allow former first-rounder Yaroslav Askarov to take over as the starter in the near future, it makes sense that Predators GM Barry Trotz would look to maximize the return for the 29-year-old.

And, at first glance, a potential trade involving Necas and Saros would make sense for both franchises.

Saros to Hurricanes, Necas to Predators not a crazy trade proposal

Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) makes a glove save against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period in game six of the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena.
Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

Although the Hurricanes boast a solid tandem of Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov, the former is 34-years-old and approaching his final season under contract in Raleigh. Although he has been good — and at times excellent — he has been unable to get this team over the hump.

But with an excellent defensive core, a true stud like Saros would make a lot of sense for Carolina. He's still relatively young at 29-years-old, and could turn into a brick wall behind one of the league's better defensive structures. As the Canes look to finally reach a Stanley Cup Final with their superstar core, Saros could be a big piece in helping them get there.

And for the Predators, it's no surprise that the club badly needs offensive help. Besides the electric top line of Filip Forsberg, Ryan O'Reilly and Gustav Nyquist, Nashville struggled mightily to score goals in 2023-24. That was especially evident in their first-round series against the Vancouver Canucks, when the team scored just 12 goals in a six-game loss.

If brought to Smashville, Necas would immediately become one of the team's top scorers. He is coming off a bit of a down year with 53 points, but he amassed 71 in 82 games in 2022-23. He also showed up in the postseason this time around, chipping in nine points in 11 games in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

If the Hurricanes don't think that Kochetkov is the goaltender of the future, it makes sense they would consider looking for an upgrade. And as the Predators continue to seek offensive help, a player like Necas would go a long way in helping this squad score goals.

It would be a complicated deal — and a one-for-one swap likely wouldn't get it done — but there is certainly an avenue for the Predators and Hurricanes to link up for a blockbuster this summer.