Sometimes, you can't get what you want in life. It was even sung by the Rolling Stones, describing the harsh reality. Whether it's getting the job you always wanted or closing on that new home, life can be unfair at times. It's also a perfect reminder that other people want something as much as you do. Sometimes, that also carries over to hockey with certain players.
There was a case of that today with Martin Necas, who signed a two-year extension with the Carolina Hurricanes. The deal will be worth $13 million, giving him a nice payday and taking him off the trade market. That's bad news for the Vegas Golden Knights, who were looking for a solid player on the wing.
This means a lot for the team, who lost numerous free agents during the summer. That included Jake Guentzel, originally the big trade acquisition from the Pittsburgh Penguins. He went to the Tampa Bay Lightning to fill in for Steven Stamkos, who's off to Nashville to sing a duet with Blake Shelton.
But what does this mean for the Vegas Golden Knights? What can they do after losing out on an opportunity to get one of the more underrated players in the NHL? While the extension takes another name off the trade market, it doesn't mean it's the end of the world for the Golden Knights. Here's what can happen next.
How the Vegas Golden Knights can find someone else with Martin Necas staying with the Carolina Hurricanes
Now, the focus shifts to Patrik Laine, who's working on getting a trade out of Columbus. The Finnish winger would be a great fit in the Golden Knights lineup, bringing a booming shot on the wing. He would also improve different offensive aspects, including the long-beleaguered power play.
In a sense, he'd be the perfect replacement for Jonathan Marchessault if he returns to his form. He has scored 40+ goals in the past (44 goals with the Winnipeg Jets in 2017-18) and is much bigger than the "Original Misfit", standing at 6'5". Vegas Golden Knights fans would appreciate a large winger who can make offense happen with a simple shot.
Vegas could also explore adding Mitch Marner further, seeing what a potential deal could look like. The Maple Leafs star has everything a team could want, including a strong forecheck game and playmaking abilities. They could also not make a move and wait until the trade deadline again. The Golden Knights have some low-cost options with good upside, including Victor Olofsson. If these deals work in their favor, they won't need to part with draft capital or players.
Whatever the case, Monday's news leaves the Golden Knights with one less option for boosting their wing. It stinks because Martin Necas is a great skater who would've been a nice compliment on the rush with Ivan Barbashev. Still, you can't always get what you want in life. But if they try sometimes, they'll find they'll get what they need.