The Colorado Avalanche want to return to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since the 2021-22 season. While they’ve obviously got strong performers like Nathan MacKinnon, it will take more than their stars to get the job done. One of those players is fellow top-line teammate Martin Necas.
Necas has been awesome for the Avalanche since he arrived via a trade with the Hurricanes. He had more goals in 2025-26 than he did with the Hurricanes and Avalanche combined the year prior, despite playing one less game. It’s clear he has gelled well with MacKinnon.
I’m a firm believer in there always being room for growth. Though Necas had 38 goals and 62 assists last season, for the first 100-point season of his career, it’s possible that he could get even more dialed in in 2026-27 with another year with MacKinnon. Of course, that could mean a little bit less weight on No. 29’s shoulders, which might not be the worst thing. The more other players can contribute, the better.
Having another strong regular season also could help Necas grow and prepare for the playoffs. Teams are changing every year, so that means that some players need to change and get even better.
The Avalanche power play needs more attention
We know that Cale Makar is the “quarterback” of the power play. With the Avalanche last season, Necas had nine power play goals off of 60 shots.
Colorado finished the regular season 27th in power play percentage (17.1%) and 45 power play goals (T-20th). To put that into perspective, the Oilers led the league in power play percentage play percentage (30.6%) with 68 goals.
Don’t get me wrong—Necas’ nine power play goals is great. It was a career-high for him. I just think that the Avalanche’s poor power play system altogether hurt and an even better breakout could be on the way for him.
Of course, it’s not just a one-man improvement. The whole group needs to do better. They and Dave Hakstol need to figure it out in 2026-27 if they want to go further into the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The Avalanche could have an adjustment period following the trade of Valeri Nichushkin to the Columbus Blue Jackets, which is also a reason Colorado has to rely more on Necas. They have to figure out a way to replace Nichushkin’s impact of physicality and point production (17 goals and 32 assists last season).
The team’s top line of Necas, MacKinnon and Artturi Lehkonen can be the best top line in the league. They just have to prove it with consistency.
In reality, Necas’ production is top quality as far as last year. The team would benefit greatly if some of those goals were spread out on the power play. Then, the team will have a better chance of lifting the Stanley Cup again.
Having Necas with a bigger role would help preserve MacKinnon for when the Avalanche need him the most. He was superb the majority of the time, but if he had a little bit more help, the Avalanche could benefit from more Necas regular season production and more MacKinnon postseason help.
Colorado has multiple superstars. They all have to contribute—especially Necas—if the Avalanche want to lift the Stanley Cup again.
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