Martin Necas of the Carolina Hurricanes has been one of the most surprising players of the NHL season, making a fast start that has put him among the league’s top point scorers. As of mid-December, Necas is tied for second in points with 43, behind only Nathan MacKinnon. In addition to his scoring, Necas has also showcased incredible speed, reaching the highest skating speed of the season at 24.49 mph during a game against the Colorado Avalanche. This speed ranks him among the league’s fastest players, sitting just behind elite names like Connor McDavid and MacKinnon.
Necas’s impressive performance has placed him in contention for major individual honors, particularly the Art Ross Trophy, awarded to the league’s top scorer. Though he faces stiff competition from other superstars like MacKinnon and McDavid, Necas is having a breakout season. His 43 points through 28 games are the most in Hurricanes history for this point in the season, surpassing the previous record of 41 points set by Eric Staal in 2005-06. His current points-per-game rate of 1.54 puts him on track for 126 points, which would break the franchise’s single-season record.
What makes Necas’s breakout even more remarkable is his rapid improvement compared to last season. At this point in the previous season, Necas had only 43 points through 56 games, highlighting the jump in his production. This season, he has already surpassed his total number of multipoint games from last year, and he is one of the league leaders in such performances. His all-around play has also been impressive, as he has nearly as many games with three or more points (four) as he has with no points (five).
Beyond his scoring, Necas is a key contributor in all aspects of the game. He boasts a strong shot, with a top speed of 94.62 mph, placing him in the 97th percentile among forwards. His midrange shooting also ranks highly, both in shots on goal and goals scored from that area. Additionally, Necas is a force defensively, leading Hurricanes forwards with 11 takeaways. His success is also tied to the Hurricanes’ possession-based style of play, which has helped them dominate shot attempts, particularly at 5-on-5.
Necas has been an important player on the Hurricanes’ top power-play unit, leading the NHL with 19 power-play points. His production on special teams has been a key factor in Carolina’s success, as he has been on the ice for 55 of their goals this season. With his current contract expiring after the 2025-26 season, Necas has put himself in a position to be a major factor in the NHL’s award races and could become one of the league’s top players in the years to come.
