The Colorado Avalanche find themselves in a perplexing situation with forward Martin Necas, a situation intensified by recent contract decisions and swirling rumors about the player's contentment in Denver. Just months after acquiring Necas in a significant trade that sent Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes, the Avalanche are now facing the possibility of losing him, either through a trade or free agency, because Necas may not be interested in signing a long-term deal with the team.

Necas, 26, is entering the final year of his two-year, $13 million contract, carrying a $6.5 million cap hit. He's slated to become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) next summer, and his intentions appear to be testing the market. This echoes his situation in Carolina, where he opted for a short-term "bridge deal" rather than a long-term commitment, ultimately leading to his trade.

Several factors are contributing to the current uncertainty. Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos reported that there's a "sense Necas wasn't overly thrilled with his experience in Colorado and that he wants to explore other options." While his regular season performance with the Avalanche was solid – 28 points in 30 games playing alongside Nathan MacKinnon – his playoff performance was considered underwhelming by some.

Adding to the complexity is the Avalanche's recent signing of Brock Nelson to a three-year, $7.5 million AAV contract. This move has put the team in a tighter cap situation, raising questions about their ability to offer Necas a contract that meets his expectations, especially if he's seeking a significant raise. Some speculate Necas could be looking for a contract in the $10 million per year range.

The Avalanche now face a difficult decision: extend Necas, trade him, or risk losing him for nothing in free agency. Waiting to see if Necas has a strong year could increase his value, but it also carries the risk of him having a poor season, making him harder to trade.

Several teams are speculated to have interest in Necas. Given his age, skill set, and potential, he could be a valuable asset for a team looking to add offensive firepower.

Ultimately, the Avalanche's next move will depend on Necas' willingness to sign an extension and the offers they receive from other teams. General Manager Chris MacFarland faces a challenging situation to navigate, balancing the team's Stanley Cup aspirations with the realities of the salary cap and player preferences. The coming weeks leading up to free agency on July 1st will be crucial in determining Necas' future and the Avalanche's path forward.