TSN’s Hockey Insiders discuss the Avalanche locking up star forward Martin Necas, where the struggling Leafs go from here, what Toronto needs if they move Nick Robertson and David Kampf, the lack or practice time being a constant issue for NHL clubs, and Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard making their case for Team Canada.

GINO REDA: With the Insiders, Chris Johnston, Pierre LeBrun, and Darren Dreger.

Guys, it took a little longer than either side would have hoped for, but the Avs finally locked up Martin Necas. Pierre, how did the two sides finally get this deal over the finish line?

PIERRE LeBRUN: Well, you may remember a couple days ago on Insider Trading, we talked about this and the fact that Cale Makar’s future extension, which can be negotiated next July 1, had a factor in these discussions.

The Avalanche were concerned in the Necas conversations that they had to be careful with that number because of the monster that’s coming down the road.

Well, here’s what happened: The Avalanche were at $10.5 million, which wasn’t enough, obviously, for Marty Necas and his agent, Michael Deutsch, but then Logan Cooley signed on Wednesday.

Not apples to apples with a guy coming out of entry-level, but it had an impact on this negotiation. Not too long after that Cooley deal got announced, the Avalanche moved from $10.5 million to $11.5 million and Martin Necas said, ‘Yes, I’m staying in Denver.’

REDA: And they got it done. Hey, great news for the Leafs. The Blue Jays’ World Series run is providing a great distraction for what’s been a really rough start, but one way or another, it’s all going to be over soon.

So, C.J., what’s the plan for Leafs’ management? Stay patient or get aggressive on the trade front?

CHRIS JOHNSTON: Certainly, I think they’re looking at every opportunity to improve the team, we know that’s Brad Treliving’s way as the Leafs GM, but what I can tell you is there is a little more calm, maybe, inside the management office than there might be outside around this team.

For starters, they have had sluggish starts in the past and come back from them just fine. When they look at the games, they are actually seeing some improvement here in this last stretch.

Even with the loss in Columbus, there’s a recognition, of course, they have to clean up some turnovers and aspects of the game, but they actually think things are trending in a good direction.

And on top of that, the injury news is getting a little better with Scott Laughton very, very close to returning to the lineup. Obviously, they’re still managing William Nylander, but there’s a feeling that this is still a positive thing and maybe the alarm bells don’t need to be ringing just yet.

DARREN DREGER: Right, and roster decisions do extend to trade possibilities in Toronto.

We know that GM Brad Treliving continues to explore the idea of moving both David Kampf and Nick Robertson.

Now, the veteran David Kampf, who’s in the American Hockey League, it’s more about just getting off the money. For Nick Robertson, this guy is a bottom-six, he’s a top-six, he’s in the press box, he’s scoring goals. He’s a young guy who the Toronto Maple Leafs have time for and they are in no rush to move him out.

If they were to get the right sort of return for Nick Robertson, it would be a player of a similar age. That’s why it’s difficult when you’re talking about trade scenarios around a young guy like Robertson.

REDA: Looking down the road, the NHL is going to shut down play for the Olympic for 19 full days this February, but no real change to the start or finish dates on the season.

So, Dregs, this is going to create some issues.

DREGER: Well, I can tell you Gino, 32 NHL head coaches agree on one thing: a lack of practice time and how big of a problem that is across the National Hockey League.

But it is about the condensed schedule. I’ll give you an example from earlier this week where Adam Foote, the head coach of the Vancouver Canucks, raised eyebrows with … let’s call it an aggressive end to the morning skate on Tuesday.

A 3-2-1 line skate. It was aggressive, but he did it after a couple of teaching lessons only because he had to get legs moving with all of the injuries that they had. That’s just through a lack of practice.

One practice in 16 days at that point for the Vancouver Canucks, but that then pushes into the recovery of injured players, as well.

Now, I’m thinking of Adam Lowry, the captain of the Winnipeg Jets. He’s close to returning to the Jets’ lineup but he’s not quite ready there, and a lot of it has to do with the fact that he hasn’t had enough practice reps.

He’s skating, that’s a huge relief, a huge sign that he’s getting close, but he’s not quite ready there based, again, on a condensed schedule.

REDA: Canada announced Crosby, McDavid, MacKinnon, Makar, Point, and Reinhart as their first six on the Olympic roster this summer. And now, a couple of young stars are battling for an invite, C.J.

JOHNSTON: Yes, that would be Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard, who are by far the youngest players invited to the camp in the summertime.

What they were told at that time was, yes, there’s a spot available, potentially, on this team but it’s going to hinge entirely on how you play during the season between Oct. 7 and Jan. 1.

Both of these guys are off to fantastic starts. Entering play Thursday, each among the top 10 in Canadian scorers.

What I’ll tell you is this for those who like to forecast, there’s a good chance they’re teammates on Canada in 2030, but for 2026, this year’s team, there’s probably only going to be room for one of them if one can push their way on.

It will be intriguing to watch both their push for the roster, but even which is doing what compared to the other because there’s probably only one spot for a young guy.

REDA: It’s going to be a great battle. They are the Insiders Chris Johnston, Pierre LeBrun and Darren Dreger