What the Maple Leafs' Interest in Martin Necas Says About Brad Treliving's Vision
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According to a new report from James Murphy of RG.org, the Toronto Maple Leafs are focused on Martin Necas, who could fit perfectly into Brad Treliving's new vision.
As the quest for a top-six forward continues for the Toronto Maple Leafs, there seems to be a lot less options than previously anticipated, and teams aren't exactly going to be giving players away, even if they are sellers.
We know that certain teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins and San Jose Sharks are going to be selling, be it for rebuilding purposes or financial flexibility. But one insider thinks the Colorado Avalanche might be involved in a deal focused on star winger Martin Necas.
But does Toronto really need him with how they're building things?
Brad Treliving's Roster Strategy Is Taking Shape
James Murphy of RG.org reports that sources close to the Avalanche have revealed that the Toronto Maple Leafs as well as the New York Rangers have expressed interest in Necas, and will continue to do so this year.
A lot of the speculation comes around Cale Makar's potential extension and how costly that will be, meaning Necas could be unaffordable:
They need to lock up Cale Makar next offseason, and even with the cap going up, where are they finding the money to give Necas?
So now the real question to me is, will the Avalanche keep him as their own playoff rental at the trade deadline, or will he go to another team as a rental and sign an extension with them?
I'll tell you one thing: when it comes to trading for him at least as a rental, I'd be watching the Toronto Maple Leafs and the New York Rangers; if, as I expect, the Rangers will be back in the playoff hunt.
So now the real question to me is, will the Avalanche keep him as their own playoff rental at the trade deadline, or will he go to another team as a rental and sign an extension with them?
I'll tell you one thing: when it comes to trading for him at least as a rental, I'd be watching the Toronto Maple Leafs and the New York Rangers; if, as I expect, the Rangers will be back in the playoff hunt.
For a team who is pretty well set when it comes to their lineup; they have physicality, offense, defense, size, passion, and solid goaltending.
But they also need a more dynamic player up top, and someone who can feasibly carry the load if Auston Matthews gets hurt again.
Necas certainly fits the bill for the Treliving group, as he's 6'3, plays physical and blocks shots, is defensively sound, and offers that dynamic top-six punch the team has lacked now with Mitch Marner leaving.
How Necas Fits the Long-Term Plan in Toronto
Coming off a blistering 83-point season last year with both Carolina and Colorado, Necas was part of the blockbuster Mikko Rantanen deal and seemed to have gotten lost in the shuffle a bit.
For his career, he has 329 points in 443 games (126 goals, 203 assists) and has the chops to be someone who averages 45-50 assists per season.
That alone would give Toronto exactly the playmaker they need up top, and at only 26, he's still getting into his prime years and starting to break out. Plus, he would give the Maple Leafs power play some added punch as well with his 102 career PP points.
Toronto doesn't necessarily need someone like Necas to succeed, and the new vision seems to be built around loyalty, passion and pure heart.
But it doesn't help to get some added star power, and Brad Treliving has the perfect candidate in Martin Necas.
