Martin Nečas and the Colorado Avalanche are heading toward a critical juncture regarding the Czech forward's contract situation. Nečas is in the final year of his two-year, $13 million contract with an average annual value of $6.5 million. He becomes an unrestricted free agent if he does not sign a new deal before July 1st of next year. This leaves both player and team with important decisions to make in the coming months.
Nečas has been eligible to sign an extension for nearly four months. After being acquired by the Avalanche in a three-team trade in January 2025, he has quickly found chemistry with the team's top players, especially Nathan MacKinnon. Last season, Nečas recorded a career-high 83 points, further solidifying his value. His strong two-way play is evident through his +7 rating.
From the Avalanche's perspective, re-signing Nečas is a priority, but it presents challenges. The team also needs to consider Cale Makar's future contract, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2027. Makar will likely command a deal upwards of $15-$17 million. With other players like Jack Drury, Joel Kiviranta, Victor Olofsson, Gavin Brindley, and Zakhar Bardakov also needing contracts in 2027, the Avalanche must manage their budget carefully.
Several factors could influence Nečas's decision. His strong performance and potential make him an attractive target for other teams if he enters free agency. NHL analyst Darren Dreger suggests that Kirill Kaprizov's eight-year, $136 million deal with the Minnesota Wild could serve as a benchmark for Nečas's negotiations. "Maybe if you're Martin Necas and you don't have the same level of history, you aim for the fence," Dreger said.
However, leaving Colorado would mean losing the opportunity to play alongside MacKinnon, a factor that Nečas may value. As NHL Trade Talk notes, Nečas might have to consider leaving money on the table if prioritizing the partnership with MacKinnon.
The Avalanche have a history of making tough decisions regarding their core players, as seen in the Mikko Rantanen trade. It has been suggested that the Avalanche might end up paying more for Nečas than they would have for Rantanen. While the Avalanche have shown a commitment to remaining competitive, ownership has made difficult choices to keep the team's nucleus intact.
A longtime NHL pro scout told RG, "I'd be stunned if he even finishes the season with the Avalanche, let alone extends in Colorado". The team could keep Nečas through the trade deadline to boost their playoff chances and then trade him in the offseason if an extension isn't reached.
