The Toronto Maple Leafs have been making headlines in the hockey world lately, and for good reason. With a talented roster and a strong start to the season, the Leafs are looking to make a big splash in the trade market. And according to a recent trade idea from Heavy.com, they may have found the perfect target in Carolina Hurricanes’ star forward Martin Necas.
The proposed trade would see the Maple Leafs acquire Necas in a blockbuster deal that would also involve three other players. The 22-year-old Czech native has been making waves in the NHL since his debut in the 2018-2019 season, and his addition to the Leafs’ already impressive lineup would undoubtedly make them a force to be reckoned with.
Necas, who is currently in the final year of his entry-level contract, is set to become a restricted free agent at the end of this season. With his impressive performance on the ice, it’s no surprise that the Hurricanes are looking to lock him up with a long-term deal. However, with a cap hit of $13 million, it may prove to be a challenge for the small-market team.
This is where the Maple Leafs come in. With a deep pocket and a desire to win, the Leafs have the resources to make a move for Necas. And according to Heavy.com’s trade idea, they would be willing to part ways with three players in order to acquire the young star.
The proposed trade would see the Leafs sending forward Alexander Kerfoot, defenseman Travis Dermott, and goaltender Frederik Andersen to the Hurricanes in exchange for Necas. While it may seem like a steep price to pay, it’s a move that could pay off big time for the Leafs.
Kerfoot, who was acquired by the Leafs in a trade with the Colorado Avalanche in 2019, has been a solid contributor to the team’s offense. However, with the addition of Necas, his role on the team would likely be diminished. As for Dermott, while he has shown potential, he has yet to fully establish himself as a top defenseman in the league. And with the Leafs’ depth on defense, he may be expendable in a trade for a player like Necas.
The biggest piece of the puzzle in this proposed trade is goaltender Frederik Andersen. While he has been a reliable starter for the Leafs over the past few seasons, his contract is set to expire at the end of this season. And with the emergence of young goaltender Jack Campbell, the Leafs may be willing to part ways with Andersen in order to acquire a player like Necas.
So why would the Hurricanes be willing to make this trade? As mentioned earlier, they may have a difficult time re-signing Necas to a long-term deal with his high cap hit. By trading him to the Leafs, they would not only receive three solid players in return, but they would also free up some cap space to potentially sign other key players.
For the Maple Leafs, this trade would be a major win. Not only would they acquire a young, talented forward in Necas, but they would also free up some cap space for future signings. And with the team’s goal of winning a Stanley Cup, this trade would be a step in the right direction.
Of course, this is all just a trade idea at this point and there is no guarantee that it will come to fruition. But it’s certainly an intriguing possibility for both teams involved.
In the end, whether or not the Maple Leafs acquire Martin Necas remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure, this trade idea from Heavy.com has sparked a lot of excitement and speculation among hockey fans. And if it does happen, it could be a game-changing move for the Leafs and their quest for the Stanley Cup.