Let’s not forget—the trade that sent Martin Necas and Mikko Rantanen in opposite directions shocked the NHL. It came out of nowhere, and few saw it coming.
Rantanen ultimately landed in Dallas because he had no interest in playing for Carolina. Now, the Avalanche may find themselves in a similar situation with Necas.
According to insider Nick Kypreos, there’s a growing belief that Necas isn’t entirely happy in Colorado. The suggestion is that he may already be considering a way out, which would make the Avalanche front office look questionable—especially if they didn’t ensure Necas was committed to staying before making the trade.
Dealing away a player like Rantanen is a major blow for any team. If Colorado ends up losing Necas too, that’s a tough setback, particularly since they brought him in to help fill Rantanen’s shoes.
It’s important to note that Necas is heading into the final year of his two-year deal and will be eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2026. There’s also speculation that Nathan MacKinnon’s intense leadership style off the ice may be contributing to Necas’ discomfort.
Time is ticking for the Avalanche. They need to decide soon whether Necas is part of their long-term plan—or if they’re about to face another unwanted departure.
There had been some hope that Mitch Marner might stay with the Maple Leafs, especially after Elliotte Friedman mentioned it as a possibility. But realistically, it seems unlikely.
Recent reports suggest Marner is leaning toward leaving, particularly after feeling mistreated by the organization this season. One flashpoint was when the Leafs asked him to waive his no-trade clause—possibly to pursue a deal involving Mikko Rantanen at the deadline.
At the time, Marner reportedly declined, not wanting to uproot his family so soon after the birth of his child. It’s understandable—moving mid-season with a newborn is no small task.
Now, Marner is expected to explore free agency on July 1, which makes more sense than staying in Toronto under the current circumstances. Interest in him is already heating up.
The Kings, Blackhawks, Hurricanes, and Golden Knights are among the teams rumored to be keeping tabs on him.
Carolina’s front office is determined to break through to the Stanley Cup Final after falling short repeatedly. With over $30 million in cap space to work with, new GM Eric Tulsky is expected to take a bold approach, according to David Pagnotta.
The team faces decisions on several pending UFAs: Eric Robinson, Brent Burns, Dmitry Orlov, Jack Roslovic, and Tyson Jost. Even if most of them return, the Hurricanes will still have enough financial flexibility to make a major move—whether via trade or free agency.
They’ve already shown their willingness to shake things up, having previously acquired Rantanen before flipping him to Dallas this past season. It’s clear Tulsky is focused on doing whatever it takes to upgrade the roster.
As for targets, expect Carolina to show interest in high-impact players such as Mitch Marner, Brock Boeser, Nikolaj Ehlers, Sam Bennett, Jamie Benn, and Claude Giroux.