Potential Flyers Trade Target Wants to Leave Hurricanes

Necas, 25, has long been a fan-favorite Flyers trade target, and his potential availability on the NHL trade market appears only to be getting more open. Though drafted as a center in the 2017 NHL Draft, Necas has primarily played as a winger in the last two seasons, including a breakout 71-point campaign last season. Necas’ numbers dropped significantly this season, as he finished the 2023-24 season with just 53 points.

The 25-year-old did, however, cross the 20-goal threshold for the second consecutive season.

In his latest “32 Thoughts” podcast episode, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman opined “Necas, I have believed for some time, that one just probably won’t work out there. I just don’t think they’re going to do what Necas wants to do.

“(Seth Jarvis), I just think he’s too valuable. They’re going to have to get something done there.”

Jarvis has been the more versatile player for Carolina, so if it’s between him and Necas, all signs point to Jarvis staying. When there’s smoke, there’s fire, and that’s going to free up Necas for the Flyers, if they wish to pursue him.

Further to that point, the Hurricanes also have players like Teuvo Teravainen, Jake Guentzel, Jordan Martinook, Stefan Noesen, Brady Skjei, Brett Pesce, and Jack Drury on expiring deals. No. 1 defenseman Jaccob Slavin is also free to sign a contract extension on July 1. They’ll have to make some sacrifices to keep the players they want.

The Flyers have some contracts of their own to work out; Travis Konecny is eligible to sign an extension on July 1, but he’s also going to turn 28 before the end of next season. Especially given the potential cost, Konecny might be too old for the Flyers to sign long-term at this point in time.

Necas, on the other hand, is two years younger and already has a 70-point season to his name, while Konecny does not.

This is not to suggest that the Flyers could trade Konecny for Necas, or trade him at all, for that matter, but they too will have to make some hard decisions in the coming months for the betterment of the organization. They also have desirable veterans and valuable draft capital that can help them facilitate moves on the NHL trade market.

Necas, given his age, production, offensive talents, and natural speed, would be a perfect fit for the Flyers. It’s important to note, however, that the Flyers are going to be temporarily tight on money in 2024-25 due to salary cap dumps they’ve inherited, as well as dead cap from retained salary trades and buyouts.

Regardless, Necas will assuredly be on the Flyers’ offseason radar.