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3 trade packages Colorado Avalanche could look for in Martin Necas trade

Rumors are that Martin Necas isn't quite satisfied so far in Denver. If the front office decides to cut and run, what can or should they expect in return?
ByConor Lively|
May 3, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Martin Necas (88) during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Colorado Avalanche in game seven of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
May 3, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Martin Necas (88) during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Colorado Avalanche in game seven of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
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Avalanche get Bryan Rust in return for Martin Necas

Bryan Rust
Pittsburgh Penguins v New Jersey Devils | Bruce Bennett/GettyImages

Colorado receives Bryan Rust and Vladislav Kolyachonok for Martin Necas and Josh Manson

To me, this is an absolute no-brainer. If Necas is hesitant to join the Avalanche and Jonathan Drouin is unlikely to resign, then acquiring Bryan Rust is a safe and effective move. Rust is under contract for three more years at $5.125m while Necas is probably going to secure himself a significant raise after this season. Rust is definitely older at 33, but he's a proven and consistent player. If he can produce with an aging Sidney Crosby, imagine what he can do next to Nathan MacKinnon in his prime. His friendly contract would give the Avalanche another valuable, movable piece in a couple years.

Josh Manson is included to dump salary and Kolyachonok is a cheap defenseman who can compete for bottom pair, seventh defenseman duties. It's high time for Manson to move as Sam Malinski has begun to establish himself as legitimate second pair defenseman. I've seen Kolyachonok play in his time in Arizona/Utah and I like his game. He's young and a bit unrefined, but I think he could fit in to Colorado's system as a shutdown, puck-moving third pair defenseman.

As a side note, I thought really hard about putting Rikard Rakell here instead of Bryan Rust, as he's got a similar contract at $5.0m for three years, but he has a modified no trade clause and is not quite as consistent as Rust. I wouldn't be mad if they acquired Rakell instead of Rust.

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