In their search for offensive reinforcements, the Montreal Canadiens would be interested in several names, including Martin Necas, but that path now seems to be blocked.

At least, that’s what informant Nick Kypreos revealed in a recent article in the Toronto Star newspaper. And the reason would be quite simple: The hostile offer made by the Carolina Hurricanes to forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi in the summer of 2021 in response to the offer made by Montreal to Sebastian Aho two years earlier would still be very fresh in the memories of both organizations.

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“Many clubs are calling the Carolina Hurricanes to inquire about trading forward Martin Necas, including the Montreal Canadiens,” he wrote Thursday. Even if the Habs like the player, there appears to be no chance of a trade with Montreal given the tensions surrounding Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s hostile offer in 2021.

As a reminder, the Finn had accepted the Raleigh team’s offer of one year and $6.1 million (in addition to a $20 signing bonus). Marc Bergevin, the general manager of CH at the time, decided not to accept the offer. As compensation, Montreal received a first and another third-round pick in the 2022 National League Draft. This selection was then used to sign attacker Christian Dvorak.

Necas will be a restricted free agent on July 1. The Czech native was drafted 12th overall by the Hurricanes in the 2017 draft and has scored 24 goals and 29 assists for 53 points in 77 games this season.

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