Martin Necas

Age: 25

Position: C/W

Statistics: 24 goals, 29 assists, 53 points (77 games played)

Contract: Restricted free agent

The Rumor

With the NHL Entry Draft quickly approaching on Friday, rumors are swirling about potential trades. The New Jersey Devils own a very valuable asset in the 10th-overall pick. On Wednesday, Frank Seravalli of the Daily Faceoff reported that New Jersey is one of a plethora of teams with interest in 25-year-old Martin Necas. Seravalli stated that, “there is belief that New Jersey has dangled the No. 10 overall pick in a deal for Necas.”

So, if that comes to fruition, what would the Devils be getting?

Player Overview

It has been quite the journey for the 25-year-old Martin Necas throughout his career. His first true season with the Carolina Hurricanes wasn’t until the 2018-19 season. In 64 games, he went on to score 16 goals and 36 points. He went on to post back-to-back 41 point seasons, showing consistency in that regard.

Although, there was another gear that Necas could hit. Confidence is a true element to the game of hockey and it was something that was lacking with him. Prior to the 2022-23 season, Necas met with a sports psychologist in Prague. It is something that helped him gain confidence and find a new gear and it helped him have a career season.

During the 2022-23 season, Necas set a career high in goals (28) and points (71). He became the offensive threat that the Hurricanes knew he could be. Often times he was a hero and had five game-winning goals, with four coming in overtime. Necas followed that up with a 24 goal campaign and 53 points this past season.

As the below indicates, Necas is at his best generating shot attempts both for himself and his teammates offensively. He also excels at the cycle game in the zone setting up that ability to create for his teammates. And, arguably the strongest part of his game, is transition. Necas does a great job creating clean zone entries for his team and creating releases from the defensive zone via his knack for retrieving the puck.

All the above is possible given his elite skating ability despite being six-foot-two. If he has open ice, his blend of speed and skill is a huge advantage and something he thrives off of. Given that the team employs Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt, Necas gives the Devils another similar element in this regard.

Of course, the potential red flag is how poor Necas’ overall defensive on-ice impacts have been, as evident by the seventh percentile ranking over the last three seasons. What’s encouraging about that, which on the surface is troublesome, is his micro-statistics, such as his success retrieving the puck, and getting it up ice, are strong.

Contract 

Necas is coming off two-year bridge deal contract with the Hurricanes. He was making $3 million per season and was looking towards building towards a longer-term deal. 

With two-straight seasons where he was producing at a higher rate, there are two different projections for extension regarding Necas. If a long-term deal is the avenue taken, Evolving Hockey projects a seven-year deal at $7.5 million per. Conversely, if another bridge deal is the route the team and player wants to take, AFP Analytics projects a three-year, $6.242 million deal.

Potential Fit for the Devils 

One of the things that general manager Tom Fitzgerald is rightfully looking for is a top-six forward. Look no further than Necas. Necas brings versatility to the table, as he can play both center and wing. Albeit, he has struggled on the dot; a career 41.5% success rate throughout his career, and he’s predominantly played winger outside the 2022-23 season. Granted, center play is much more than face-off success. For new head coach Sheldon Keefe, he would have the option to move Jack Hughes to the wing and give Necas the middle of the ice. 

With the top line featuring Nico Hischier, Timo Meier, and Jesper Bratt, adding a player like Necas would give the Devils a deeper second line. Hughes would have a legitimate winger to play with like he did during the 2023-24 season with Tyler Toffoli. With Necas being as young as he is, he fits the core group that the Devils have in place.

Necas would also see more opportunity than what he had with the Hurricanes. Necas only averaged 17:21 of ice time last year and averaged only 16:36 of ice time over his Hurricanes’ career. In the season he logged his highest average ice time (18:25) he set a career-high with 71 points.

Would A Deal for Martin Necas Make Sense?

You have to give in order to get. It appears that the Hurricanes have no intentions of bringing Necas back and a trade is coming. For the Devils, trading for Necas does make sense. However, parting with the 10th overall pick is a would be a tough pill to swallow. Especially since, despite always having relatively strong micro-statistics, Necas’ defensive on-ice impacts have been a train wreck.

Given where the Devils select in the upcoming 2024 NHL Draft, the talent is ripe for the picking. If the Devils don’t have the player they want available, swinging a deal with Necas could make sense, as he is a proven NHL player.