The Buffalo Sabres were among the teams linked to Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas this summer. However, a trade centering around the 2017 first-round pick is highly unlikely at this juncture, as he signed a two-year, $13 million contract with the Hurricanes on Monday.

While Necas will be staying in Carolina, the Sabres reportedly came close to acquiring him.

According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, the Sabres and Hurricanes had agreed upon a trade centered around Necas, but it fell through because he was unwilling to sign with Buffalo.

Seravalli did not specify what the Sabres would have sent to Carolina for Necas, but he did note what the Winnipeg Jets offered to try to land him. Seravalli shared that the Jets offered top prospect Rutger McGroarty, former first-rounder Cole Perfetti, and a draft pick for Necas.

There is no question that Necas would have been a spectacular addition to the Sabres’ top six. However, with the skilled winger reportedly being unwilling to sign a contract with the Sabres, it is ultimately for the best that they went in a different direction.

Some solid top-six wingers are still in the rumor mill, like Nikolaj Ehlers, Trevor Zegras, and Patrik Laine. However, it will be harder to make a deal for one with it being later in the summer.

Nevertheless, while it would have been nice to land a big fish like Necas, the Sabres have some young, promising players who could compete for top-six roles at training camp. Veteran winger Jason Zucker should also get some consideration. It will be interesting to see what the Sabres do with this top six next season from here.