Whether it be an offer sheet or a sign-and-trade, Utah should target Martin Necas from the Hurricanes.

Acquiring Martin Necas from the Carolina Hurricanes would be a smart move for Utah during the off-season.

Necas is a dynamic young forward with tremendous offensive upside who would inject skill, speed, and playmaking ability into Utah’s lineup.

At 25 years old, Necas is entering the prime of his career and has already demonstrated the potential to be a difference-maker at the NHL level. Unfortunately, he is a pending RFA, and according to Elliotte Friedman on the most recent episode of his 32 Thoughts the Podcast (24:21). It is unlikely that the Hurricanes will give him what he is asking for.

Utah would need to work out a trade for Necas or potentially offer-sheet him and make a bold move in their first off-season.

If they went down to the avenue to trade for him, it would be a sign-and-trade scenario. Utah would be given a window to negotiate a contract and then would need to work out a trade to acquire his services from Carolina.

Given Necas’ skill and age, the deal would likely cost a fair bit. The benefit that Utah has is the abundance of draft capital that could help the Hurricanes replenish some prospects while still staying competitive.

A trade for Necas may cost Utah Alex Kerfoot and Karel Vejmelka as two roster players. Both can join the Hurricanes and make an immediate impact on the lineup. As well as a first-round pick or potentially a second- and third-round pick to help get the deal across the finish line.

Kerfoot is a great bottom-six forward who does the little things right but may not score more than 30 points per season and has a cheaper cap hit. Vejmelka has lost the starting job to Connor Ingram and could find his game in a goaltending tandem with either Frederik Andersen or Pytor Kochetkov next season.

If they went down the road of offer-sheeting Necas, they would need to be okay with paying the compensation. As per Cap Friendly’s offer sheet calculator, if Utah signed him to a seven-year deal worth $56 million ($8 million AAV), they would need to give Carolina a first, second, and third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.

Overall, trading for Martin Necas would be a very smart move that aligns with Utah’s goals of building a competitive roster and contending for championships in the future.