Young, Skilled Forward Reportedly Available Out Of Carolina An Intriguing Montreal Canadiens Trade Target

The Montreal Canadiens are going to be on the hunt for some offensive help this offseason.

They have an incredible number of impressive, young defensemen that they need to work into the lineup in the near future. Possibly too many and they will need to move some of them out. They also will likely have a young duo of netminders next season with Sam Montembeault and Cayden Primeau between the pipes.

Up front, there are some locks that will bring scoring in the next couple years. That group would include Nick Suzuki. Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky and Kirby Dach. That is a good start to a rebuilding clubs future offense, but more is definitely needed and offensive forwards will be a priority when it comes to additions this summer.

One player that could surprisingly be available is Martin Necas. If that is true, he would jump near the top of the list of potential targets for the Canadiens following this season.

It doesn't make a ton of sense that Necas would be available, however Larry Brooks of the New York Post reported he is hearing the Hurricanes are willing to listen on Necas.

Necas is a 6'2" forward that is just 25 years old and has had an impressive start to his NHL career to this point. He has 18 goals and 42 points in 53 games this season and has been a fixture in the Hurricanes top six forward group all year. He is versatile enough to play center but also move to either wing and continue to pile up offense.

Moving Necas now, with the Hurricanes on their way to a playoff berth and Necas a big part of their offense, makes little sense. However, they have some tough decisions to make in the offseason with Teuvo Teravainen, Necas, Brett Pese and Brady Skjei all needing new contracts and the team probably interesting in adding a reliable goaltender.

If Necas becomes a cap casualty in the offseason, the Canadiens need to use their plethora of prospects and draft picks to get in on trade talks with the 25 year old who can score at a near point per game pace already.