Martin Necas To The Blue Jackets Should Start The Don Waddell Era

The Carolina Hurricanes have some decisions to make this summer, and Don Waddell could help them with their situation. 

The Hurricanes have 13 free agents on the active roster with some that are UFA and some are RFA. A few national media have speculated that the Canes would prioritize signing Jake Guentzel and that he is open to signing with them. So who's the odd man out? Possibly Martin Necas.

Necas is a restricted free agent and is arbitration-eligible. The 25-year-old from Czechia is going to want a raise. New Blue Jacket GM Don Waddell signed Necas to a 2-year $6 million contract in 2022. Carolina would need to offer at least $3.5 million as a qualifying offer. 

Would the center want to follow Waddell to Columbus? Could Waddell get his tenure started by trading for an experienced, solid player?

Necas has played in 362 games, scoring 97 goals and totaling 243 points. In 59 career playoff games, he has 30 points. His career high for points came in the 22-23 season when he scored 28 goals and had 71 points. This past season he took a step backward, however, only getting 53 points. He was also a -9. In 11 playoff games this season he had 9 points. 

Necas would be an immediate upgrade to the forward group, specifically the centers. Yes, the CBJ do have Fantilli, who will most likely be the top center. But after that, it gets a little thin. They also have Cole Sillinger and Boone Jenner, but to say Necas wouldn't slot in and immediately be one of the best forwards on the team would be wrong. 

All this depends on what the Jackets do in the draft. More and more mock drafts have them going with a defenseman at #4, and rightfully so. But, if they do go defense with that top pick instead of center, it makes a move for someone like Necas a possibility. Waddell said yesterday in an interview that he prefers his young guys to get AHL experience if possible so that #4 pick seems unlikely to see Nationwide Arena ice for a few seasons. 

It feels like Waddell is going to take his time with rebuilding instead of blowing everything up right away, but moves like this need to be made every now and then. Waddell is aggressive and yet seems cautious. 

Martin Necas would be a great addition to this roster. 

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