The Hurricanes will be one of the most interesting teams to watch this offseason by any measure. After getting bounced in the second round by the Rangers, not only is the future of head coach Rod Brind’Amour in question, but they have multiple pending unrestricted free agents that would be among the top 20 names on the market should they not be re-signed before July 1.
One of them is blue-liner Brett Pesce, whose season ended in Game 2 of the first round against the Islanders after sustaining a lower-body injury. The top-four staple in Raleigh for nearly a decade could very well have played his last game for the Canes, notes Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on Friday’s edition of “32 Thoughts”:
“Pesce didn’t seem likely. They kinda told him what they were willing to do last year,” Friedman said. “I think it was in the (five years, $5MM AAV) range. It didn’t work. I don’t know that it’s changed.”
Early into the extension-eligible period for their 2024 UFAs, reports indicated the Hurricanes weren’t close to extensions with any of them aside from franchise center Sebastian Aho, who inked the richest contract in franchise history last July. That included Pesce, who most expected Carolina to trade before the season to avoid letting him walk for nothing. He was even allowed to discuss extensions with other teams last summer, but Friedman confirmed during training camp that he’d been taken off the trade block by general manager Don Waddell.
It wasn’t the wisest decision for Pesce, who’s coming off arguably his worst campaign since his rookie season. His 0.19 points per game were a career-low, his 20:17 average per game was the lowest since 2015-16, and his possession metrics checked in right around the team average in both shot attempts and expected goals.
After a lengthy run of being one of the better two-way defenders in the league, though, he’s still likely in line to earn a slightly richer deal than what Carolina is offering him. Evolving Hockey projects him to land a six-year deal on the open market with a roughly $5.5MM cap hit.
Friedman also believes that forward Martin Nečas, now a restricted free agent after completing a two-year, $6MM bridge deal, could have his signing rights traded this summer, saying he doesn’t think Carolina will do “what Nečas wants to do.” The Hurricanes are expected to prioritize re-signing trade deadline pickup Jake Guentzel, the best left wing available on the pending UFA market. He also notes that Seth Jarvis, an RFA like Necas, has surpassed him on the depth chart internally and is more of a financial priority long-term.
Nečas is eligible for salary arbitration this summer, so they may need to execute a sign-and-trade or allow him to negotiate with other clubs. Opening the possibility for Nečas to force an acquiring team to arbitration could lower his trade value.
The 2017 12th-overall pick took a considerable step back this season, posting 24 goals and 53 points in 77 games after recording a career-high 71 in 82 last season. The Czech winger hasn’t historically been a positive possession force on a deep Hurricanes forward group, either, although he was good in playoff action this year with four goals and five assists in 11 games.
Any team acquiring Nečas would only be able to sign him to a seven-year deal if they wanted to go for the maximum term since he was on Carolina’s reserve list at the trade deadline, although it could be an eight-year deal via a sign-and-trade. Evolving Hockey projects that as the most likely outcome with a $7.5MM cap hit.
Let me guess Toronto interested in Both players like every nhl story they are bought into it..
You were the first to bring them into it. Kinda funny.
Bet Ron Francis will move quickly to get Necas if he becomes available.
I’m really hoping Trotz makes the splash for him
That crossed my mind as well. Would prefer a bigger fish than him (though I’m unclear on the direction Trotz is going in), but at the right price, Necas could be a decent pickup.
I think Nečas us underrated as a finisher and Seattle would be a perfect fit. Add in Chandler Stephenson and the Kraken are set to get Brind’Amour back to the playoffs next season.
You obviously don’t watch Necas on the regular…
They must really like Scott Morrow then & intend to resign Chatty?
Blackhawks are willing to spend XD
Just putting this out there if someone decided to go the offer sheet route and not trade for his rights… the aforementioned $7.5MM cap hit requires a team to surrender their next first, second, and third-round picks.
As a Canes fan, I’d drive Necas to the airport if this were to happen. The guy is a turnover machine and one trick pony.
@Josh, kind of like the ill-advised Kotkaniemi offer sheet? “In a stunning turn of events, the Habs have thrown an offer sheet the way of Nečas, bringing this full-circle.” Waddell says, “I can’t believe my good luck!”, then proceeds to win both the Powerball and MegaMillions jackpots.
I wonder if Trotz could send a package of picks and maybe a prospect or 2 Carolina’s way to acquire Necas, I’d prefer him over Marner any day of the week
Ryker Evans for Necas’ rights & a late pick. Done. :D lol
Definitely maybe… I don’t mind moving Evans, but what do they do next season? Evans is not a “stud” but he’s better than his ELC. Nečas and a middle six center tap them out. They’d need to spend to add another D.
Ottaveinen looks ready for the bigs. I’d take a chance if moving Evans would nab Necas.
Maybe a bit soon for Ottavainen… but I don’t hate it and on a sheltered third pair it might work. They could use the size. Oleksiak is the smallest giant in the league.
Good take.
Ok… I’ve got the deal.
Kraken acquire Martin Nečas and Jesperi Kotkaniemi.
Canes acquire Edward Sale and Kraken 2024 third round pick from Toronto.
Carolina gets a 2023 first in Sale and a third this year… they get their offer sheet picks back. They also get rid of KK.
Seattle needs a RW and a bottom six center. They can still buyout Kotkaniemi at 1/3 for two more seasons if he’s beyond repair.
No chance KK goes anywhere. That would be Waddell admitting failure in extending him rather than Trocheck. The way KK played in the postseason, he’s got a role on this team. Orlov on the other hand, I’m sure could be had.
$4.8m for one assist in eleven games and eleven minutes a night. That’s how you prove you’ve got a role to play?
I think it’s more Dundon than Waddell that would have the admitting to do… but whatever.
Never understood the Orlov signing. Seems that was money that could’ve been better used elsewhere in the lineup.
@mikedickinson — The “no chance” reason shouldn’t be an obstacle for GMDW. Puljujarvi was never going to get moved out of EDM, as that would be a massive black eye for the organization. Then, they started trying. It took a lot of that, but eventually he was pitched overboard, landing in CAR, to the detriment of the Hurricanes, and he eventually got shipped off to PIT. Now he’s their problem/project. Most GMs, who are comfortable in their own skin, will just get rid of the bad acquisition and have a memory like a fish.