The Colorado Avalanche are in a high-stakes poker game with their newest acquisition, Martin Necas, and the clock is ticking. With training camp just around the corner, the question on every Avs fan’s mind is: can they get a deal done?
General Manager Chris MacFarland knew what he was getting in Necas – a dynamic, 26-year-old forward with a tantalizingly high ceiling. But he also knew he was acquiring a player on the cusp of a significant payday. The trade that sent fan-favorite Mikko Rantanen to Carolina for Necas was a bold move, a calculated gamble that the Avalanche could build a younger, faster forward group. But that gamble doesn’t fully pay off until Necas’s name is on a long-term contract.
The Waiting Game: What’s the Holdup?
So, why the delay? It’s all about leverage. Necas and his agent are undoubtedly watching the Kirill Kaprizov negotiations in Minnesota with keen interest. While Necas isn’t in that same elite tier as Kaprizov, a massive new contract for the Wild superstar will inevitably raise the bar for other top-end forwards. Necas’s camp is likely waiting for that domino to fall before making their next move.
The Avalanche, on the other hand, have to be mindful of their own salary cap situation. With Cale Makar’s mega-deal on the horizon, every dollar counts. They need to sign Necas to a contract that not only reflects his current value but also provides them with the flexibility to keep their championship window wide open. A strong season from Necas without a contract in place could see his asking price balloon to over $10 million per year, a number that would put the Avalanche in a very difficult position.
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