From record-breaking speed to leading the Hurricanes’ offense, Martin Necas is making a strong case for major NHL awards this season.
Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas has been one of the biggest surprises of the NHL season. As of Wednesday, Necas is tied with Kirill Kaprizov of the Minnesota Wild for the second-most points in the league, with 43, trailing only Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche (46).
Necas has also reached impressive speeds this season, hitting a top speed of 24.49 mph in a game against the Avalanche on Dec. 5, which is the second-fastest speed tracked since 2021-22.
Despite stiff competition from elite players like MacKinnon and Connor McDavid, Necas’ stellar performance puts him in the race for the Art Ross Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s top point scorer.
Necas, 25, already holds the record for the most points through 28 games in Hurricanes/Hartford. Whalers history, surpassing Eric Staal’s 41 points in 2005-06. At his current pace, Necas is on track to score 126 points this season, which would break the Hurricanes’ single-season record of 105 points.
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Necas has had an impressive turnaround, as he didn’t reach his 43rd point last season until his 56th game. This season, he has already surpassed his multipoint games from last year (14 compared to 11) and is near the top of the league in such games. He’s also known for his strong shot, with a top speed of 94.62 mph, ranking in the 97th percentile for forwards.
On top of his offensive skills, Necas is also a key defensive contributor, leading his team in takeaways and playing an important role in Carolina’s possession-based system.
The Hurricanes are on track to lead the NHL in 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage for the third consecutive season, and Necas is one of eight Hurricanes forwards with a plus-100 shot attempt differential.
Necas has been a key player on the Hurricanes’ power play, leading the league with 19 power-play points. He has already exceeded his total from last season, showing his growth. So far, Necas has been on the ice for 55 of Carolina’s goals, ranking fourth in the league. His career-high shooting percentage of 20.0% is also a sign of his improved finishing ability.
Having signed a two-year, $13 million contract in the offseason, Necas is on track to become a major force in the league. Not only is he one of the most valuable players on his team, but his all-around game and exceptional performance have put him in the conversation for several major NHL awards this season.
Image Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
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