Sep 23, 2024; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobes (75) and forward Patrik Laine (92) celebrate the win against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
The Canadiens have had serious negotiations to acquire Martin Necas, according to Pierre LeBrun
This summer, two big names attracted attention for potential trades. Patrik Laine and Martin Necas had both asked to be traded by their respective teams.
The Canadiens acquired Laine and Necas decided to sign a short-term deal with the Hurricanes. Montreal was rumored to be interested in both players.
Except that Pierre LeBrun recently revealed that the Canadiens were really in the running for Necas. This is what he revealed in a text published on The Athletic website on Monday.
In this text, LeBrun explained that the Jets were serious candidates in the race for Necas, except that they were far from the only ones. The Blue Jackets and Canadiens were also serious contenders in the race.
In fact, a total of 28 teams contacted the Hurricanes to try to negotiate a deal involving Necas. Only three teams didn’t budge. Crazy!
LeBrun confirmed on TSN on Thursday that Montreal was one of the most serious candidates in the battle for Necas, along with the Jets.
According to LeBrun, the Jets were close to acquiring Necas, but he didn’t want to sign a long-term deal with the team, which put an end to negotiations.
The Hurricanes are very happy to have succeeded in convincing Necas to stay with them. The young forward already has 30 points this season after just 18 games!
A player with that kind of production would have driven most Montreal fans crazy.
We also have to wonder whether Laine might not have been a plan B for Kent Hughes. Necas extended his contract with Carolina at the end of July, while Montreal acquired Laine in August.
One thing is certain, however: Laine cost far less than Necas would have cost the Habs. In his piece on The Athletic, LeBrun talked about an offer from the Columbus Blue Jackets that included their fourth overall pick in the last draft.
I get the impression that Hughes preferred to keep his fifth pick to select Demidov rather than go after Necas.
