Patrik Laine has been a popular trade chip within the NHL. He's asked for an amicable separation from the Columbus Blue Jackets by trading him. As a young, budding star, he's drawn attention from different teams, including the Vegas Golden Knights. I know what you're thinking:
"Why would anybody want to be stuck in Ohio in the first place (skibidi gyatt, as the kids would say)?"
Well, dear reader. A team like the Blue Jackets hasn't been relevant since its inception, leaving fans to wonder if the franchise even exists. It's almost the same with the Carolina Hurricanes, who only have one Stanley Cup to their name. They are exploring their options with one of their stars, Martin Necas. He wants a new deal and hopes to be with the team.
But what if they don't offer him a $6 million AAV deal as rumored? Does that allow teams like the Golden Knights to pounce? The idea has grown on fans recently, with the team looking for viable young talent to fill their lineup. That's why they acquired Alexander Holtz a month ago, adding a young wing to their group. Let's explore adding Necas to the lineup and see where he fits in a dream scenario.
Where Necas fits in the Vegas Golden Knights lineup in a post Carolina Hurricanes world
Martin Necas has fluidity in the top six for the Vegas Golden Knights. He could fit in on the second unit, making the unit much faster. Necas and Pavel Dorofeyev can be a speedy unit, with both tough to defend on the rush. With the right winger setting up his potential teammate for a shot, it would be a dream scenario for any Golden Knights fan.
It would be akin to his current time with the Carolina Hurricanes, where he was setting up stars like Jake Guentzel and Teuvo Teravainen last season. That's how he scored 24 goals and 29 assists in 2023-24, for his developing offensive sense made him a strong player.
But he can also play on the first line, creating prime scoring opportunities for Jack Eichel. The good thing about having the Czech forward on your team is he can play any forward position. That includes both wings and center, which can help in case Vegas loses one of their main stars. With injuries hampering the team in recent years, he could pick up the slack.
Necas and his salary arbitration case will be one to watch in the upcoming weeks. If things fall out with the Hurricanes, he'll be a name to watch on the trading block. He seems like a guy who would fit in well on the Golden Knights, bringing playmaking skills and smooth skating to the team. He might even be a better alternative to Patrik Laine in the long run.