Martin Necas was the centerpiece of the return package that the Colorado Avalanche got for trading Mikko Rantanen away back in January. With one year left on his current contract, the Avalanche need to act before they lose Necas due to issues with contract negotiations, the same reason they lost Rantanen.
Necas is slated to make $6.5 million for the burgundy and blue this season, but his next contract is projected to reach upwards of eight figures annually. The team either needs to ink an extension with the 26-year-old. The last thing that GM Chris MacFarland and company can afford to do is let him walk for nothing.
At Avalanche Media Day on Wednesday, Necas was asked about where his contract negotiations with the team stand heading into the season.
“We’re talking, we’ll see what’s going to happen,” he said. “Can’t really tell you. I don’t really know. So, it will be interesting.”
Avalanche forward Martin Necas said getting traded was “shocking” but he’s settled in to Colorado and got to know the guys. On a possible contract extension, his reps and the franchise are talking — but even Necas isn’t totally looped in. pic.twitter.com/5eT2X41EYZ
— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) September 17, 2025
The national media has started to take notice of the situation, as this is the exact same scenario the organization found itself in with Rantanen 12 months ago. Given that Necas averaged more than a point per game in the 2024-25 season, he will have suitors that will be willing to pay him on the open market if MacFarland wants to relive the weirdest saga in Avalanche history.
Necas also said on Wednesday that he has finally settled into Colorado after the “shocking” trade eight months ago and is ready to get a full season under his belt with the burgundy and blue.
“Being traded during the year wasn’t easy, but, I felt like it was a good opportunity here and now, being here, starting with the camp and getting to know the guys way more is great, and I’m excited for the season,” Necas said.
The Avalanche need Necas to win playoff games. In last year’s series against the Dallas Stars, he was shut down and a negative on the ice in both Game 3 and Game 7, two very pivotal contests that flipped the script of the series. He only scored one goal in seven games, so paying him $10 million annually would be a lot if he reciprocates that level of production when the stakes are the highest.
With a contract extension for superstar defenseman Cale Makar looming, the Avs front office has to be smart with the Necas situation. If they overpay him, they could mess things up in the future. The bottom line is, they can’t let him walk. A trade or a new contract are the only two options for the regime if they don’t want to mess up the Rantanen trade even more.
Outside of injuries, the Necas contract situation will be the hottest topic to follow throughout Avalanche training camp, which kicks off this week.
