The Colorado Avalanche have secured winger Martin Necas with an eight-year contract extension worth $92 million, the team confirmed. The deal, averaging $11.5 million annually, keeps Necas with the Avalanche through the 2033-34 season.
Necas joined Colorado last season in a major trade that saw Mikko Rantanen move to the Carolina Hurricanes after contract talks failed. Since arriving in Denver, Necas quickly meshed with star Nathan MacKinnon, tallying 18 goals and 23 assists in just 41 games.
Originally drafted 12th overall in 2017, Necas shined for the Hurricanes in 2022-23 by scoring 71 points over 82 games. Despite demonstrating excellent playmaking skills during his seven years in Carolina, he never seemed to reach his full potential until now, playing alongside some of the league’s elite.
By locking Necas into a long-term deal, the Avalanche have solidified two key players, MacKinnon and Necas, as foundational parts of the team through at least the 2030-31 season. This allows team President Joe Sakic to concentrate on extending contracts for other stars, like Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Cale Makar, who will be eligible for a new deal starting July 1, 2026.
Given the previous contract drama with Rantanen, Colorado made a smart move to avoid repeating that mistake, keeping their championship aspirations very much alive.
Lessons from Last Year
The trade of Rantanen and Necas in January surprised many, as Rantanen is a former 55-goal scorer and one of the top wingers in the NHL. However, contract negotiations stalled, prompting Colorado to bet on Necas instead. Rantanen’s subsequent $12 million per year, eight-year contract with the Dallas Stars, along with his playoff performance that eliminated the Avalanche, serves as a stark reminder of what was lost.
In contrast, the Avalanche’s decision to commit to Necas with a top-tier salary is justifiable. With the NHL salary cap projected to rise from $95.5 million this season to $104 million in 2026-27 and $113.5 million in 2027-28, the contract will become even more manageable. Necas has already proven to be a dominant presence alongside MacKinnon—according to Natural Stat Trick, the pair’s 5-on-5 ice time translates into a positive goal differential and a 65.3% expected goal share.
Now, Colorado ensures that this dynamic duo will be a key part of the team’s future, avoiding a repeat of last season’s painful playoff exit.
Free Agent Market Impact in 2026
Necas’ new contract makes the 2026 free agent class thinner in terms of high-end talent. Top stars like Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, and Kirill Kaprizov have all inked extensions, leaving fewer marquee players available. While players like Artemi Panarin, Adrian Kempe, Sergei Bobrovsky, and Alex Tucci remain, many are expected to be retained as the salary cap increases, easing financial constraints.
Thus, teams aiming for championships will need alternative strategies, whether through drafting young prospects—such as the Dallas Stars and New Jersey Devils—or making bold trade moves, as seen with the Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights.
Fan Take: This signing is huge for Avalanche fans and hockey followers alike, as it guarantees that one of the league’s most exciting duos, Necas and MacKinnon, will continue to electrify the ice for years. It also signals a shift in NHL strategy where teams are more willing to invest heavily to avoid losing pivotal players, potentially reshaping how championship contenders build and maintain their rosters.
