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Stick or Twist: Carolina Hurricanes RFA edition

By Conor Power

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 30: Tony DeAngelo #77 and Vincent Trocheck #16 of the Carolina Hurricanes react following their 6-2 defeat against the New York Rangers in Game Seven of the Second Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 30, 2022 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 30: Tony DeAngelo #77 and Vincent Trocheck #16 of the Carolina Hurricanes react following their 6-2 defeat against the New York Rangers in Game Seven of the Second Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 30, 2022 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 28: Martin Necas #88 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates after scoring a goal against Vitek Vanecek #41 of the Washington Capitals during the first period of the game at Capital One Arena on March 28, 2022, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 28: Martin Necas #88 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates after scoring a goal against Vitek Vanecek #41 of the Washington Capitals during the first period of the game at Capital One Arena on March 28, 2022, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Martin Necas

It was a rather down year for the Czech centerman turned winger and Martin Necas has said that himself. We know that he’s going to have to improve majorly on the ice if the Hurricanes can justify keeping the 2017 12th overall pick around. It’s an open secret that everyone wants him to do well. No one wants to see him succeed more than the Caniacs and his teammates, but the 2021-22 season was a major step back for Necas.

In 78 games, Necas collected 14 goals and 26 assists for 40 points. That’s not the kind of production you expect from Martin Necas, but we know that the organization and the player both know how good he can be. When Necas is playing well, there are very few players in the league that can keep up with the elite skating level of the Czechia forward. But that is just about the only positive in his game this year.

Defensively, Necas had been getting better until he suffered major regressions this year. Everyone is hoping it is just a blip for the 23-year-old, but with how suddenly it came on, you have to wonder if this is something he can be brought out of. In his exit interview, Necas mentioned his want to move back to his natural position of Center and that might help him a lot. However, is there room for him to play center right now?

A lot of fans are calling for the Nove Mesto na Morave native to move on and find a new home in the NHL. While I can understand why this is, I do think it is worth giving Necas a shot down the middle to see if he can restore some of the faith that was placed in him when he was drafted. I’d personally like to see Necas back, but I’d imagine it is a bridge deal. 3 years at around $3.5 million annually would be my projection.

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