Avalanche on Thin Ice: Will Martin Nečas Stay or Spark Another Trade Shock?

As the Colorado Avalanche navigate a pivotal offseason, one name dominates the conversation — Martin Nečas. Acquired in the stunning Mikko Rantanen trade earlier this year, Nečas arrived in Denver carrying high expectations. And to his credit, he delivered. After landing with the Avs, the 26-year-old winger exploded for 28 points in just 30 games, ultimately wrapping up the 2025 campaign with 83 points, placing him comfortably inside the NHL’s top-20 scorers.

But despite the on-ice success, all is not well behind the scenes.

According to multiple insiders, Nečas wasn’t exactly thrilled with his brief tenure in Colorado. That discontent could prove costly for the Avalanche, who now face the uncomfortable decision of either locking him up long-term — possibly at a $10 million AAV — or risking another trade saga before he hits unrestricted free agency next summer.

A Familiar Fork in the Road

This situation feels eerily similar to the one Colorado faced with Mikko Rantanen — and the results weren’t pretty. Despite reportedly being open to negotiation, Rantanen was dealt after the team refused to meet his $12 million price tag. He later signed with the Dallas Stars, where he helped eliminate the Avalanche in the first round of the playoffs.

Now GM Chris MacFarland must decide: is Nečas worth the premium price?

An early proposal of seven years at $9.11 million AAV has been floated. But industry voices, including Nick Kypreos, suggest Nečas could command $10 million or more, especially with the NHL salary cap expected to climb to $104 million. And with Nečas entering the final year of his $6.5 million deal, time is running out to find common ground.

Trade or Trust?

What makes the situation more urgent is the potential for Nečas to walk in free agency next year — leaving Colorado with nothing in return after giving up their franchise cornerstone in Rantanen.

As Chris Johnston bluntly put it:

“You either extend him at some point or maybe trade him if you can upgrade him. A team like Colorado is trying to win now.”

But pulling off such a trade won’t be easy. Nečas’ looming UFA status likely reduces his trade value to a "rental" price tag, and finding a return that matches his current impact — especially mid-season — could prove difficult.

What Comes Next?

With the clock ticking, Nečas’ future is rapidly becoming one of the biggest storylines of the 2025-26 season. Will Colorado gamble on a long-term commitment despite the rocky start? Or will they repeat history — and possibly regret it again?

One thing is clear: the Avalanche can’t afford to get this one wrong.