Those are reasonable sentiments. I guess to me it just feel like Carolina is leaving a lot on the table. They have a plethora of good defense, but it's hard to see them doing a lot without a center. It's just easy to imagine them being a play off team for the 2-3 years it will take for Necas to be the impact player they envision.
I think this is a bit mis-understood in some sense.
Slavin is an absolute stud defensively and "maybe" has some untapped offensive ability (since he doesn't get much PP time and gets the toughest matchups) but still has 4G, 13P. Canes can't afford to lose him as he's their shut-down guy.
Pesce is strictly defense (0G, 9 points).
Fleury is strictly defense so far (0G, 6 points)
Faulk is in slump this year, but his biggest asset offensively is his shot. He's not a natural PP QB or distributor of the puck. (4G, 17P)
TVR is a nice bottom pairing guy without much offense (1G, 9P)
So while there is a "plethora" so to speak, there is one guy that has real offensive ability (outside of Faulk's shot), and that's Hanifin, who IMO hasn't even come close to reaching his potential yet (although he gets better and better each game). I personally, think the team is better off with him on the back end than trading for a good, but not great C that is older and more expensive. Maybe if Jake Bean comes along and becomes that offensive force, I'll have a different view.
I'm not sure adding ROR but taking away Hanifin and not solving the goaltending gets them into the playoffs and I'm a big ROR fan. Not to mention I get heartburn trading a 21 year old with Hanifin's potential for a guy 6 years older.
That's my rationale. I'd rather get Necas here, try Aho at C, and try to acquire some wingers this off season and see where that gets us.