The NHL draft and first day of free agency have come and gone, and Martin Necas remains with the Carolina Hurricanes. Here's the speculation on what could happen next.

Lost amid the usual frenzy of contract signings during the opening hours of the NHL's free agent market is the ongoing question about the Carolina Hurricanes' plans for Martin Necas.

Necas, 25, is an RFA with arbitration rights this summer. He became a hot topic of media trade chatter following the Hurricanes' elimination from the 2024 playoffs in May amid rumors he was unhappy with his role on the team. 

It was assumed Eric Tulsky, the Hurricanes' new GM, would move Necas before or during the recent 2024 NHL draft. The Hockey News' Jason Newland cited Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman claiming the Hurricanes were close to a deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets involving Necas and the Blues Jackets' first-round pick (fourth overall) in this year's draft.

Friedman indicated the discussions reached the stage where Necas was permitted to speak with the Blue Jackets. However, nothing came of it, and the Jackets used their pick to select promising center Cayden Lindstrom.

It's worth remembering that Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell was the Hurricanes GM before stepping down in late May. He and Tulsky had a good working relationship so the possibility remains for a future deal involving Necas.

Friedman also wondered if Tulsky might have second thoughts about moving Necas after Jake Guentzel declined to sign a contract extension. That decision forced the Hurricanes GM to trade Guentzel's signing rights to the Tampa Bay Lightning on the eve of free agency.

In his “32 Thoughts” column, Friedman pondered the possibility of Necas going to arbitration and both sides abiding by the arbitrator's decision or negotiating a one-year contract. 

The Hockey News' Ryan Henkel noted that Tulsky briefly addressed Necas' situation during his July 1 press conference. He said he's working with the winger's agent to try to make the situation work. Once they've dealt with their UFAs, they'll switch to the RFAs and try to get deals done with them. 

Necas was linked to several teams in the rumor mill leading up to July 1. Most, like the Blue Jackets, Boston Bruins, Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks, turned to free agency to address their forward needs. Some of them now lack sufficient cap space to add another player.

Facing a shrinking list of possible trade partners, Tulsky could have little choice but to re-sign Necas and see how next season unfolds. 

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