The New York Islanders are in a tough position this offseason as they need to get younger while maintaining a focus on contention. Solving this issue could be done by gambling on a prospect to join the NHL lineup and make an immediate impact. However, this is not the most realistic given the Islanders’ weak prospect pool. The best way to solve this issue is by targeting restricted free agents with NHL experience and still in their low 20s.
Martin Necas
Martin Necas is a 25-year-old forward who has spent the entirety of his career with the Carolina Hurricanes. He possesses a right-handed shot, can play center and wing, and is reliable defensively. He is also on the taller side, coming in at 6-foot-2, adding a physical presence when on the ice. He scored 28 goals and 71 points in the 2022-23 season but regressed to just 24 goals and 53 points this past season. However, there is strong reason to believe he can amass 70-plus points once again in an elevated role elsewhere.
Related: Hurricanes’ Cap Situation Could Force a Martin Necas Trade
If the Islanders were able to land Necas, he would immediately slot in in the top six, likely the first line. He has a high hockey IQ, creating scoring chances from all over the ice. He has the speed to keep up with Mat Barzal and the scoring talent to add another 30-plus goal threat alongside Bo Horvat on the top line. Landing Necas would cost an arm and a leg but would be worthwhile for the aging Islanders’ core.
The price would undoubtedly start with a first-round selection and build from there. Since Carolina has so many free agents, it is hard to tell what they would want in return. They could target more draft selections, or some of the younger players in the Islanders’ organization such as Simon Holmstrom, Samuel Bolduc, or Danny Nelson. For now, we will wait to see what a trade would look like, but it would come in at a steep price regardless. Since Necas is due for a new contract that will likely come in at around $7 million per season, depending on the term offered, the Islanders will need to find a way to fit him in while staying under the salary cap.
Jack Drury
Sticking with the Hurricanes is center Jack Drury. The 24-year-old is a former second-round pick of the Hurricanes and has been a reliable member of the bottom six over the past two seasons. However, he is due for an elevated role elsewhere, and he may have priced his way out of Carolina.
After scoring 27 points in 74 games on just over 12 minutes per…
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