Cole Perfetti Postgame According to a reputable NHL source, it is believed that the Winnipeg Jets attempted to put together a package for Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas. Earlier this week, the Hurricanes snuffed out all trade speculation with the signing of Necas to a two-year, $13 million contract. Necas, who reportedly was growing disinterested in his contract situation and usage with the 'Canes, opted to sign a bridge deal in Carolina and will look to prove his worth over the next two seasons. Although initially opting to go the salary arbitration route, the team and player managed to hammer out the details on a contract that will pay the 25-year-old Czech product $6.5 million annually. This contract, according to Frank Seravalli - president of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association - came after the Hurricanes received "at least" two separate offers in a package for Necas. “There were a couple of deals that had been offered that were considered,” Seravalli said on his Daily Faceoff rundown podcast“That ultimately weren’t enough for the Carolina Hurricanes.” According to Seravalli, of the two other teams involved, the deals apparently didn't materialize as Necas had no desire to sign on with one of the clubs. “There was one team for sure they had a trade agreed to,” Seravalli added. “And Necas would not agree to sign a new deal with that new team.” Despite most believing that team to be Winnipeg, Seravalli said he understood it to be the Buffalo Sabres. The other trade involved the Winnipeg Jets, but that one also fell through - in somewhat of an 'eleventh hour' shakeup. “There was another deal on the table,” he said. “I believe it was Winnipeg. I think Winnipeg offered Rutger McGroarty, Cole Perfetti, and some pick.” The Hurricanes, however, stood pat and sure enough, signed Necas to a two-year deal just days later. Winnipeg, which has yet to sign Perfetti following the conclusion of his entry-level contract, has put the young forward through the ringer on an up-and-down season that saw multiple trips to the press box near the season's end and playoffs. He did streak for goals in five-straight, but later fell out of favour of head coach Rick Bowness' watch. McGroarty, on the other hand, has also been rumoured to be unhappy with his development path. Having seen fellow college teammates jump into the NHL and make immediate impacts, the Jets' idea of AHL development clearly set him off in a way that appears to have permanently severed his ties with management. McGroarty did not skate at development camp in July and was actually expected to be dealt around the time of the draft. That obviously did not happen, but this latest revelation indicates that the Jets are not messing around in their hopes of moving on from 'difficult' players. McGroarty was selected 14th overall in 2022, while Perfetti went 10th overall in 2020. Necas was taken 12th overall in 2017 by Carolina.
