Avalanche Trade Targets: Is Martin Necas A Good Fit?

The NHL rumor mill is swirling, and one name that keeps popping up is Martin Necas of the Carolina Hurricanes. With the Colorado Avalanche always looking to bolster their roster for another Stanley Cup run, could Necas be a good fit in Denver? Let's dive into the potential of a Martin Necas trade to the Avalanche, examining his skills, potential line combinations, and what it might cost to bring him to the Mile High City.

What Martin Necas Brings to the Table

When considering Martin Necas as a trade target for the Avalanche, it's crucial to understand what he brings to the ice. Necas is a dynamic, offensively gifted forward with a knack for playmaking and a developing goal-scoring touch. His skating ability is top-notch, allowing him to weave through defenses and create scoring chances. He's not afraid to take on defenders one-on-one, and his vision allows him to find teammates in high-danger areas. He has great speed and agility, and he is known for creating scoring opportunities. Martin Necas would bring a dynamic offensive presence to any team.

Skillset Analysis: Necas's strengths lie in his offensive creativity. He possesses excellent hands, allowing him to control the puck in tight spaces and make quick decisions. He excels on the power play, where his vision and passing skills can unlock opposing penalty kills. While not known for his physicality, Necas is willing to battle for pucks and isn't afraid to go to the dirty areas of the ice. Defensively, Necas is still developing. While he's shown improvement in his own zone, he's not a Selke Trophy contender. However, his offensive upside far outweighs any defensive liabilities. In the offensive zone, he's a wizard. He can make plays, score goals, and create chaos for opposing defenses. His presence alone would elevate the Avalanche's offensive capabilities.

Potential Line Combinations: Imagine Necas skating alongside Nathan MacKinnon or Mikko Rantanen. The possibilities are tantalizing. He could slot in as a second-line center, providing a scoring punch behind MacKinnon. Alternatively, he could play on the wing, using his speed and skill to complement either MacKinnon or Rantanen. A line of Necas, MacKinnon, and Rantanen would be a nightmare for opposing defenses to contain. No matter where he plays, Necas would add a new dimension to the Avalanche's attack. This versatility would give coach Bednar plenty of options to tinker with the lineup and find the best combinations. Ultimately, Necas's adaptability makes him a valuable asset for any team.

Why the Avalanche Should Consider Necas

There are several compelling reasons why the Avalanche should strongly consider trading for Martin Necas. First and foremost, he addresses a key need for the team: secondary scoring. While the Avalanche boast a formidable top line, their scoring depth has been inconsistent at times. Necas would provide a much-needed boost to the team's offensive capabilities, taking pressure off MacKinnon, Rantanen, and Landeskog (when he returns). He can contribute immediately, bringing skill and speed that complements the Avalanche's existing strengths.

Boosting Offensive Depth: The Avalanche have struggled to find consistent scoring from their bottom-six forwards. Necas would instantly become one of the team's top offensive threats, providing a reliable source of goals and assists. He would also make the Avalanche's power play even more dangerous, giving opposing teams another thing to worry about. With Necas in the lineup, the Avalanche would become an even more difficult team to defend against. His addition would create matchup problems for opposing coaches, forcing them to allocate resources to contain the Avalanche's diverse offensive threats. This enhanced offensive depth could be the key to a deep playoff run.

Adding Speed and Skill: The modern NHL is all about speed and skill, and Necas has both in abundance. He can skate circles around opposing players, create scoring chances out of nothing, and make highlight-reel plays. He fits perfectly with the Avalanche's up-tempo style of play. His skating ability would allow him to keep up with the Avalanche's fast-paced attack, and his skill would allow him to contribute to the team's offensive creativity. The Avalanche are already one of the fastest teams in the league, and Necas would only make them faster. This infusion of speed and skill would make the Avalanche an even more exciting team to watch.

Long-Term Potential: Necas is still just 25 years old, meaning he has plenty of room to grow and develop. He could be a key piece of the Avalanche's core for years to come. Acquiring him would not only improve the team in the short term but also set them up for long-term success. The Avalanche are always looking for young, talented players to add to their roster, and Necas fits that mold perfectly. He has the potential to become a star in the NHL, and the Avalanche could be the team that unlocks his full potential. Investing in Necas would be a smart move for the Avalanche's future.

Potential Trade Packages

Acquiring Martin Necas won't be cheap. The Hurricanes will likely demand a significant return for a player of his caliber. So, what might a potential trade package look like? The Avalanche have some valuable assets that they could offer, including prospects, draft picks, and even some established players. However, they'll need to be careful not to give up too much, as they need to maintain their roster depth.

Draft Picks and Prospects: The Avalanche have a solid prospect pool, and they could offer some of their top prospects in exchange for Necas. Players like Sean Behrens or Oskar Olausson could be enticing to the Hurricanes. The Avalanche also have some valuable draft picks that they could include in the deal. A first-round pick would certainly get the Hurricanes' attention. Combining prospects and draft picks could be a viable strategy for the Avalanche.

Established Players: The Avalanche could also consider including an established player in the trade package. A player like Bowen Byram, if the Avalanche are willing to part with him, could be a centerpiece of a deal for Necas. However, trading Byram would create a hole on the Avalanche's blue line. The Avalanche would need to carefully weigh the pros and cons of trading an established player for Necas. It's a risky move, but it could pay off if Necas reaches his full potential in Colorado.

A Realistic Proposal: A realistic trade proposal might involve a combination of a first-round pick, a top prospect, and a roster player. For example, the Avalanche could offer their first-round pick in the upcoming draft, prospect Sean Behrens, and a player like Alex Newhook in exchange for Necas. This package would give the Hurricanes a combination of immediate and future value. It would also allow the Avalanche to acquire Necas without gutting their roster. Of course, the Hurricanes might have other demands, but this is a reasonable starting point for negotiations.

Risks and Considerations

While Martin Necas would undoubtedly be a valuable addition to the Avalanche, there are also some risks and considerations to keep in mind. First and foremost, there's no guarantee that he'll live up to expectations. He's still relatively young, and his performance could fluctuate. It's possible that he might not mesh well with the Avalanche's system or that he might struggle to adapt to a new environment. The Avalanche need to be prepared for the possibility that Necas might not be a home run acquisition.

Contract Negotiations: Necas is a restricted free agent after the upcoming season, meaning the Avalanche would need to sign him to a new contract. This could be a tricky negotiation, as Necas will likely be looking for a significant raise. The Avalanche need to be prepared to pay him what he's worth, but they also need to be mindful of their salary cap situation. Overpaying for Necas could limit their ability to make other moves in the future.

Team Chemistry: Any time you add a new player to a team, there's a risk that it could disrupt the team chemistry. The Avalanche have a close-knit group of players, and they need to make sure that Necas would fit in well with the team's culture. They need to do their due diligence to make sure that he's not only a talented player but also a good teammate. A player who doesn't fit in with the team's culture could be a detriment, even if he's talented.

Alternative Options: The Avalanche should also consider other options before committing to a trade for Necas. There might be other players available who could provide similar value at a lower cost. The Avalanche need to weigh all of their options carefully before making a decision. They need to make sure that trading for Necas is the best move for the team, both in the short term and the long term.

Final Verdict

So, is Martin Necas a good fit for the Avalanche? The answer is a resounding yes, with a few caveats. He would address a key need for the team, providing a boost to their secondary scoring and adding speed and skill to their lineup. He has the potential to be a star in the NHL, and the Avalanche could be the team that unlocks his full potential. However, the Avalanche need to be mindful of the risks and considerations involved in acquiring him. They need to be prepared to pay a significant price, both in terms of trade assets and contract negotiations. They also need to make sure that he would fit in well with the team's culture. Overall, the potential benefits of acquiring Necas outweigh the risks. He would be a valuable addition to the Avalanche, and he could help them compete for another Stanley Cup. The Avalanche should seriously consider making a move for him.