Czech forward Martin Necas is likely to be traded by the Carolina Hurricanes. While he makes so much sense to join the Detroit Red Wings, his contract and his role demands might make such a deal impossible.

The offseason rumor mill is in full swing, in no small part thanks to Martin Necas’ dad.

About a week ago in an interview with Czech outlet Denik Sport, the elder Necas said his son is looking for a trade because he wants to be on the first line and first power play unit. And while that rumor has so far only amounted to a great soundbite from then-Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell, Necas’ next team is largely unknown. Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman has already linked Necas to the Vancouver Canucks, and the number of teams in on the Czech forward is likely higher.

How about Detroit?

Necas is a high-end scoring winger whose offensive talent was critical for a Carolina team that didn’t have a whole lot of firepower until the trade deadline. He did this for a Hurricanes team that prioritizes its defensive responsibilities more than trying to trade chances. For a Red Wings team in need of another top six winger and with machinations to become a better defensive team, Necas could check both boxes. But given his demands and his likely expensive contract, Necas might be priced too steep to make his acquisition possible for Detroit.

Necas’ offensive impact can’t be ignored. He’s scored 124 points in 159 games the past two seasons, leading his team in expected goals for this season with a 52.2% expected goals share. He’s good, and that’s without the top minutes that his dad pointed out. For the Hurricanes, they’ve got Jack Drury ahead of him on the right wing, and Sebastian Aho ahead of him at center, which Necas also plays. Neither of those two are going anywhere, so Necas will have to move to get the limelight he purportedly desires.

In Detroit, those first unit positions are already spoken for. The Red Wings’ first line right wing is Lucas Raymond, who just finished with a team-leading 72 points this season and is about to get his first real NHL contract. He’s not getting a demotion. On the power play, Necas would have to dethrone right-handed sniper Alex DeBrincat who Detroit traded for last offseason. Neither player seems likely to get knocked down in the depth chart, let alone does it seem the Red Wings are interested in spending cap space and trade assets for someone to do so.

And speaking of that cap space, it’s by far the biggest hurdle to a Necas acquisition. He made $3 million AAV on his last contract, and he’s going to get a raise from that after two career-best seasons.

The Red Wings will have around $28 million in cap space next season, but a significant portion of that — probably between a half and two-thirds — will go to signing defenseman Moritz Seider and Raymond this offseason. Whatever change is left over will have to furnish multiple positions, unless Yzerman can free up more cap space by trading a depth player. Necas will probably get a ballpark $8 million AAV on his upcoming contract, and that would soak up about every penny left over for the Red Wings to work with.

This cap crunch is part of why the Red Wings’ next move at winger is so wide open. If they can’t afford to bring back a known quantity like Patrick Kane — who was nearly a point per game and is most likely to hit free agency — paying top dollar for Necas only creates the same problem with more risk. Of course, there are differences in the two’s abilities, ones that mostly center around age and injury history, but Necas’ next whopper of a contract is too big a problem to be worth it to Detroit as the cap sheet currently stands.

But maybe it’s time for Detroit to get aggressive. Players of Necas’ caliber don’t come around often on the trade block or through free agency, and he’d assuredly make Detroit a better team. A trade or two could free up cap space to sign Necas and retain depth, and perhaps moving him or Raymond to their off hand could accommodate both on the first line. If the Red Wings truly believe that Necas can make them better next year and beyond, they’re at a point in the rebuild where making a big splash could be beneficial, just like acquiring DeBrincat was last offseason.

After all, Necas would be the kind of impact forward that general manager Steve Yzerman has been looking for. Given his role in a defensively responsible Hurricanes lineup, Necas would also jell with the more defensive brand of hockey that Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde wants to establish from here on out.

But the fit ultimately has to match here. Necas might match the needs and coaching philosophy of the Red Wings, but his demands on the lineup sheet and the negotiating table just don’t make sense for what Detroit has space to work with. Unless Necas’ dad was speaking out of turn regarding Necas’ priorities, then a deal with the Red Wings just wouldn’t work.

Necas is the kind of player that could help Detroit — to be fair, he could pretty much help anyone. Yet unless something big changes at this stage in the rebuild, picking him up shouldn’t be a priority. The rumor mill might be firing, but it’s one that the Red Wings shouldn’t involve themselves with.

Also from THN Detroit

Raymond Returns from Worlds with Nine Points and Bronze Medal

The Red Wings' Late Draft Picks Haven't Panned Out; That isn't Cause for Concern

Which Player Would You Rather Have: Lucas Raymond or Alexis Lafreniere?

Berggren Hat Tricks Fuels Comeback as Griffins Prolong Season

Worlds Campaign Ends Quietly for Augustine, Team USA

How Did J.T. Compher Fare in His Debut Season as a Red Wing?

Lafreniere vs. Raymond, The Conference Finals, and College Corner: The Silky Mitten State Episode 27

College Corner: Picking Michigan for Development, Will Whitelaw is Made for Michigan