3 young trade candidates at forward who would ignite the Blue Jackets in 2024-25

Martin Necas, Carolina Hurricanes

Depending on what the Hurricanes do with their long list of pending restricted and unrestricted free agents, Martin Necas could be the odd man out, something we have seen implied from sources like Elliotte Friedman of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast and echoed by Lyle Richardson of Bleacher Report. 

But Necas is a solid player and pending restricted free agent who the Blue Jackets could acquire for a reasonable price. Nobody would demand outstanding compensation from a player like Necas, but he would also be a massive help for a Blue Jackets team that finished the year 25th in scoring with 237 goals. 

With a new outlook in the Ohio state capital, adding youngsters would be key here, and Necas fits that mold, along with the other two players listed. He’s scored 24-plus goals in each of his last two seasons, and he also logged 124 points in that span. 

Necas was also good enough to play top-six minutes with one of the league’s best teams, and he would add experience on the wing alongside talents like Adam Fantilli and Johnny Gaudreau - assuming the latter remains with the Blue Jackets. 

He wouldn’t provide a miracle in Columbus, as the team would still be thin in their middle and lower lines. But adding a player like Necas will instantly make the Blue Jackets more competitive than they have been across the previous two seasons, assuming the team can stay healthy.