Prospect Corner: No Stopping Martin Necas

Necas heating up in the Czech league

Since returning from a starring role at the World Juniors, Necas has upped his play, settling in nicely in the Czech League for Kometa Brno. In nine games, Necas has tallied four goals and five assists, while receiving more than 13 minutes of ice time in all but one game. While typically being deployed as a middle-six option for his fifth-place club, the young center has driven play when on the ice, averaging nearly two shots on goal per game.

Through 21 games, Necas has nearly passed his point total from his draft year (15) despite to this point playing 20 fewer games. He currently ranks tenth on his club in points (14), but is second behind former NHLer Martin Erat in points-per-game (.66). It’s been a terrific post draft season for the Canes first-rounder who may not be too far off from a potential roster spot, but likely a couple seasons from making the impact that they need him to down the middle.

Jamie Kellner

Noah Carroll having career year in Sault Ste. Marie

After being rescued from a poor Guelph team for the Sault Ste. Marie playoff run last season, Carroll has improved his play in his overage year in the Ontario Hockey League. The 2016 sixth rounder has surpassed his career points total (25), set in 62 games last season with a 27-point output this season in 48 games. He has dramatically increased his shot rate, from 1.17 in his first 29 games to 2.05 over his last 19 games, and has been rewarded by scoring four times in that span.

Sault Ste. Marie is the best team in the OHL this season, piling up 89 points through 51 games, and has already clinched a playoff spot despite having 17 games left in the regular season. Carroll will be an important part of the Greyhounds’ defensive corps that hopes to bring home a Memorial Cup this year.

Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images

Prospect Quick Hits

• The Northeastern Huskies will look to avenge their 2015 overtime loss to Boston University in the Beanpot finals when they face off with the Terriers on Monday, February 12th. Northeastern shut out David Cotton’s Boston College Eagles 3-0 this weekend to advance to the final. Outside of Filipe, the Huskies have some Raleigh flair with native Trevor Owens on the roster.
• It has been a tough season for 2016 draft pick Jack LaFontaine, as he has been relegated to the backup role at Michigan since the start of the new year. In his first action since January 1st, LaFontaine spelled starter Hayden Lavigne, making 18 saves on 18 shots in the second and third period of a 4-2 loss to Wisconsin. Michigan has a two game set against Michigan State this weekend, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see LaFontaine get one of the games.
• Jeremy Helvig continues to be one of the OHL’s top goaltenders this season. He ranks second in the league in both save percentage (.920) and goals against average (2.56) among netminders who have played 20-plus games. The 2016 fifth rounder has outplayed his draft position since being selected by Carolina.
• After a period of the season where he did not dress, Wisconsin’s Max Zimmer has been more consistent of late with four points in his last six games. For the season, Zimmer has posted six points in 19 games, playing up and down the lineup.

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