Sabres reportedly eyeing blockbuster move for Avalanche superstar Martin Necas
Photo credit: Michael Martin / NHLI
The Buffalo Sabres are reportedly setting their sights on Colorado Avalanche superstar forward Martin Necas, eyeing a potential blockbuster move to bolster their offensive firepower.
Necas is rumoured to be unhappy in Colorado, so this may be the perfect opportunity for Buffalo to make a move for the rising star.
Sabres eyeing Martin Necas in massive blockbuster move.
Michael Augello from The Hockey News writes that after trading J.J. Peterka to Utah, GM Kevyn Adams missed out on replacing his production in free agency, meaning the Sabres may now need to pursue a top-six scorer via younger players, prospects, or draft picks.
"Colorado forward Martin Necas is someone the Sabres were rumored to have interest in last summer, before he signed a two-year bridge deal with Carolina before he was traded mid-season to the Avalanche in the Mikko Rantanen deal." -Augello
The challenge for both the Avalanche and any potential trade partner for Necas is whether he'd be willing to sign a contract extension with a year left before hitting unrestricted free agency.
"For Colorado, it looks to be playing out like Rantanen 2.0, since they have to reserve room to extend Cale Makar next summer, and likely would not be able to afford to re-sign Necas and the reigning Norris Trophy winner. The other dilemma for the Avs is trading a key cog in their Stanley Cup aspirations for the usual return of a rental." -Augello
For Buffalo, the big question is whether they'd be willing to give up major assets for Necas without any assurance he'd commit to re-signing.
"GM Kevyn Adams would only trade for Necas as a pure rental if the Sabres were in the race for a playoff spot and had a good chance to snap their 14-year drought. The cost at that point would be a first-round pick (top-10 protected), a prospect with promise like Noah Ostlund or Devon Levi, and another piece (an additional draft pick, a secondary prospect, or NHL depth forward)." -Augello
If the Sabres were confident they could extend Necas or sign him outright, the return would likely need to include a promising young NHL forward like Zach Benson or Jiri Kulich, plus a first-round pick and another asset.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 10 | 32 ANSWERS Sabres reportedly eyeing blockbuster move for Avalanche superstar Martin Necas Would Buffalo be a good landing spot for Martin Necas? | ||
| yes | 15 | 46.9 % |
| no | 17 | 53.1 % |
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