The Colorado Avalanche would pull off an absolute stunner by managing to hold onto impending UFA forward Martin Necas.
Necas’ contract situation is nothing new for Avalanche fans. It’s been a trending storyline throughout the offseason and heading into this season. But a new report suggests that Necas’ permanence in Colorado would be a surprise.
An October 9 report by James Murphy of RG Media cited an anonymous NHL scout who stated:
“I’d be stunned if he even finishes the season with the Avalanche, let alone extends in Colorado.”
The issue is not that Necas wants out. It’s that the numbers aren’t in the Avalanche’s favor. The Vegas Golden Knights and Winnipeg Jets didn’t do the Avs any favors by extending their current stars.
The Jets gave Kyle Connor an 8x12 deal this week, with the Golden Knights following suit with an 8x13.5 deal for Jack Eichel. That situation means that the ballpark for Necas is set. He’s more comparable to Connor than Eichel. Connor is a winger, and Eichel is a center.
By that logic, it’ll be at least $12 million AAV for Necas. That’s the number the Avs didn’t want to pay Mikko Rantanen. And even if the Avs buckled and paid Necas, the aforementioned source added:
“I don’t see how the Avalanche make it happen with Necas.”
The source indicated the reasoning behind their assertion:
“They need to lock up Cale Makar next offseason, and even with the cap going up, where are they finding the money to give Necas? So now the real question to me is, will the Avalanche keep him as their own playoff rental at the trade deadline, or will he go to another team as a rental and sign an extension with them?”
Makar is in a completely different league. His already impressive resume could command Kirill Kaprizov-type money. So, we’re talking about $17 million or more for Makar. If that’s the case, the Avalanche would easily pass on Necas in favor of keeping Makar.
Colorado Avalanche have two options with Necas
So, the Colorado Avalanche are down to two options: Hold onto Necas as a rental this season and see him walk in the offseason, or trade him at the deadline.
Murphy highlighted three potential destinations for Necas. Two are part of the usual suspects, and it is surprising.
Let’s start with the usual suspects. Murphy linked the Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers as teams interested in Necas. Their interest goes back to when Necas played for Carolina.
Necas would be a perfect fit for the Toronto Maple Leafs’ top line. As for the Rangers, he could replace Artemi Panarin if the Rangers choose to move on from him.
As to what the Leafs or Rangers would offer for Necas, that’s an entirely different discussion. It’s one we’ll be looking into in the days to come.
The other team, the one that could offer the most to Colorado, is the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks need the star power that a player like Necas can bring to the table, and they have the cap space to sign him.
Moreover, the Ducks have prospects and draft picks they could use to lure Necas. Perhaps the Avalanche can pull off a trade with the Ducks similar to the one the New York Islanders pulled off with the Montreal Canadiens involving Noah Dobson.
Again, that might be getting ahead of ourselves a little bit. The Avalanche may balk at moving Necas to a Western Conference rival. So, Colorado might be more compelled to move him to an Eastern Conference foe.
Who knows? At this point, it’s mostly hearsay. But the numbers add up. And that’s the frightening part. So, Avalanche fans must keep an eye on how things play out. Unless Cale Makar wants to take a page out of Connor McDavid’s book, the Avalanche will have to make some tough-love choices to keep the NHL’s best defenseman in town.