Martin Necas' market is starting to heat up.
Half the teams in the NHL have inquired about the Carolina Hurricanes forward, including the Montreal Canadiens and Philadelphia Flyers, sources told The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun.
Necas is a pending restricted free agent who can become an unrestricted free agent in 2026.
The Hurricanes have several pending free agents, including Jake Guentzel, Teuvo Teravainen, Brady Skjei, and Brett Pesce (UFAs) and Seth Jarvis (RFA).
Necas recorded 24 goals and 29 assists in 77 games this past season as a winger. He produced a career-high 71 points in 82 games in 2022-23 while splitting time between center and wing.
Necas also helped Czechia win gold at the 2024 World Championship, contributing seven points in five games as a late addition.
He's projected to earn $8.8 million annually on an eight-year contract, per Evolving-Hockey.
Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes said he intends to be aggressive this offseason.
"If we can get a player, if we can trade up in the draft, we have to look at any way that we can improve this team," Hughes told LeBrun. "We won't be limited to something that has to make us better next season. But if it does, call that icing on the cake."
Montreal has also reconnected with the Anaheim Ducks about Trevor Zegras, LeBrun notes. The Ducks are reportedly listening to offers for the 2022 Calder Trophy runner-up.
Philadelphia, meanwhile, doesn't appear to be as aggressive as Montreal, but general manager Daniel Briere is keeping an open mind.
"Don't expect much movement from us, as far as free agency," Briere said. "But we're always open to hockey trades if there's something that makes sense to help our team, both in the future but also in the short term if it fits our timeline."
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