Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

Martin Nečas and Avalanche Both Face Tough Contract Call

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | Last updated Oct 20, 2025 3:20 PM ET

As the NHL offseason approaches, Martin Nečas finds himself in an interesting contract situation with the Colorado Avalanche. Both sides might feel like making a decision soon considering that Necas is red hot and the Avs want to retain him, but the player is increasing his value, in part because he has such good chemistry with superstar Nathan MacKinnon.

While Nečas has been a key contributor, were he to leave the Avalanche and test free agency, he would lose the chance to play with MacKinnon. If he wants to prioritize that partnership, Necas might have to leave some money on the table as the Avalanche are known for careful budget management despite having wealthy ownership.

Darren Dreger noted, “Let’s see what they do on Marty Nečas. It feels like they’ve kinda gotta make that deal happen, but they’re more or less a budget team, so it could get interesting.” Colorado has a history of making tough calls when it comes to their core, as seen in the trade that sent out superstar Mikko Rantanen.

The irony is that the Avalanche might be looking at a situation where they ended up paying the same more for Necas than they would have for Rantanen.

Nečas, who is arguably the Avalanche’s third- or fourth-best player, may not command the same money as top-tier stars like MacKinnon or Cale Makar, particularly within Colorado’s current cap structure. However, his performance will draw attention from around the league if he chooses to go to market. As a free agent, there’s a strong possibility that another team could overpay.

Who Bends: Necas or the Avalanche?

Ownership has shown a commitment to keeping their team competitive, but has made hard choices when it comes to keeping the nucleus intact. Nečas has shown he can be tough to please and there’s a feeling he’s willing to make difficult decisions to maximize his earnings.

He’s not wrong if he’s assuming his market value is up there. The Avalanche might also not be wrong to overpay a player, who while talented, could open up a can of worms for that organization. With MacKinnon and Nečas forming an “unstoppable duo,” how Colorado handles this contract will be interesting, particularly given that Makar is not far off from needing a new deal.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: