All is well in Raleigh after a 13-4 start to the season for the Carolina Hurricanes. Sitting second in the Metro Division behind the Washington Capitals, the Canes have had the quick start needed to put behind the worry of losing so many key players in the summer, including long-time general manager, Don Waddell. The success has been a team effort, with several players contributing to the hot start. After a long summer of trade rumors, Martin Necas has turned the narrative for himself.
The 25-year-old seemed at a crossroads after a disappointing 2023-24 season and a difficult exit from the playoffs for Carolina. Necas was expected to take a big step last season and become one of the focal points of the offense. To the disappointment of coach Rod Brind'Amour, Necas finished the season with just 53 points. After putting together a career-high 71 points the prior season, the sky was the limit until it wasn't.
The summer brought the expiration of the Czech Republic forward's contract and as a restricted free agent, Necas became the hot topic of the trade rumor mill. Because Eric Tulsky had a busy few weeks on the new job, the restricted free agents including Necas, Jack Drury, and Seth Jarvis had to wait.
Eventually, Necas and the Canes came to an agreement on a bridge contract for 2 years worth $6.5 million a year. The former 2017 first-round draft choice had an opportunity to prove himself on the shorter term with this contact and he has already started to reach expectations. Just 17 games into the season, Necas is over halfway to last year's production with 30 points.
The real question is if Necas can continue this production and if not, how much of a drop-off can be afforded? With key offensive producers leaving last summer, Necas has thrived with more ice time in key roles. It is not unforeseen to think that this production level will not continue but that does not mean a lack of success. This season, the team will not be able to afford much of a drop in production from Necas unless someone else picks it up.
The concern with this start from a management point of view is that Necas could be playing himself into a mega contract that could be too costly for the Canes. After locking up Sebastian Aho, Jarvis, Jaccob Slavin, Andrei Svechnikov, and a long-term contract for Jesperi Kotkaniemi, how much of the pot is left for Necas?
The organization will need to rely on its minor league system to put out a productive team that is more than just the stars. It is not an impossible task for Tulsky and it is certainly a good problem to have for Carolina.