During the summer of 2024, one of the topics that generated the most buzz among Montreal Canadiens fans was the search for a top-6 forward.

This issue was finally resolved when Kent Hughes acquired Patrik Laine at the end of August. However, some fans may have already forgotten that the organization had its sights set on a certain Martin Necas from the Carolina Hurricanes, as reported by Pierre Lebrun.

Martin Necas and the Montreal Canadiens: an acquisition that could have changed everything

As reported in an article on the TVA Sports website, discussions were indeed underway between Hughes and the Hurricanes’ organization. However, it’s very likely that the Canadiens’ general manager backed out due to the high demands of Eric Tulsty, the Hurricanes’ GM.

Even the player in question confirmed that the Canadiens were in the mix to acquire him.

«I heard a lot of things about Montreal. There were discussions between the two teams.» – Martin Necas

In the end, perhaps acquiring Necas instead of Patrik Laine would have been much more beneficial for the Canadiens.

Since the start of the season, Martin Necas has been one of the top scorers in the National Hockey League, tallying 30 points, including 13 goals, in 17 games.

This places him third behind Nathan MacKinnon and Kirill Kaprizov.

Meanwhile, in Montreal, Patrik Laine is still waiting to play his first game in the Canadiens uniform, having been injured during a preseason game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on September 28.

I’m not trying to compare the two players, far from it, but in the hockey world, there are often sayings like this one, the best trades are the ones you don’t make.

It’s fair to say that applies in this case.