Avalanche News
Is Martin Necas Unhappy in Colorado? One NHL Insider Reportedly Believes So
Martin Necas was the key piece of the return that the Avalanche received from the Carolina Hurricanes in the sudden Mikko Rantanen blockbuster trade in January.
The 27-year-old was the one that Avs GM Chris MacFarland didn’t want to miss out on. Carolina reportedly was considering dealing Necas to Vancouver in a separate trade, which sped up the urgency for the Avs to trade their franchise winger.
They wanted Necas, and they got him.
But just over five months later, one NHL insider, Nick Kypreos, believes Necas isn’t as sold on the Avs as we may believe.
Kypreos released his first Trade Board on Sportsnet on Tuesday and had Necas listed as one of the names to watch.
“After the Avalanche moved Rantanen because of how difficult they perceived contract extension talks to be going, how much patience will they have with Necas — not a homegrown player or superstar talent — if negotiations on an extension start slowly this July?” Kypreos wrote.
“There was a sense Necas wasn’t overly thrilled with his experience in Colorado and that he wants to explore other options.”
That last part is the surprise. And I’m not entirely sure if I believe it entirely. But it doesn’t change the fact that something felt off about the Necas acquisition from the start.
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Not because he’s not a good player, he posted 11 goals and 17 assists in 30 games after the trade (and one goal and four assists in seven playoff games).
It’s also not because he’s done anything to show he doesn’t like it in Colorado either. Necas got an elevated role and was attached to Nathan MacKinnon from the first day. His ice time shot up, as did his importance to the roster compared to how the Carolina Hurricanes were deploying him. How could he not have enjoyed this?
It’s also not because he’s a bad locker room fit. From what I’ve seen, Necas is a stand-up guy that the team’s core enjoys having around.
But what struck me from the first day was his contract situation. Necas didn’t want to lock in a long-term deal with Carolina last summer. Instead, he signed for two years to walk himself straight to unrestricted free agency. His contract demands were well out of the Canes’ budget.
Is that going to happen here? I’m not sure. But if the issue with Rantanen was the uncertain cap hit and an inability to build around a top-heavy roster, then I don’t think I agree with him getting traded for a player that isn’t already locked up for a manageable cap hit.
What if Necas asks for $10 million? Was all of this worth saving $2-$3 million? I’d certainly rather have Rantanen at $12 million than Necas at $10 million. Necas makes $6.5 million now, which is a lot lower than Rantanen’s cap hit, and allows the Avs to use the added cap space elsewhere. But it’s only for one more year. And that’s the problem.
This report is just an added element to an already intriguing situation. If Necas and the Avs can’t agree to the framework of a deal — one that can’t be signed until July 1 — then MacFarland should absolutely entertain the idea of trading him.
The Avs can’t afford to lose Necas for nothing in a year, nor should they allow this thing to linger like they did with Rantanen.
Either sign him now, or trade him before the offseason ends. That’s where I stand on this — whether he’s truly “not overly thrilled” or not.
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It wasn’t just a Rantanen for Necas trade. Drury was included too, and even if Necas takes $10M, Drury at 25 y/o and anchoring the 4th line is huge. Rantanen is a great player for sure, but even he can’t be out there on the ice centering the 4th line and a top 6 wing.
Jack Drury is an excellent 4C. But that’s all he is. There’s nothing he does or offers that you wouldn’t be able to find on July 1st literally every year & most likely at much cheaper than 1.7 per year. So the fact that people tout him as some instrumental part of the Mikko trade I have a hard time taking seriously. He was a throw in. Carolina probably was happy to get him off the books. Because they have a bunch of guys that do what he does. Too many actually in their case. When all is said &… Read more »
I’m telling you trade necas for matinpalo batherson and 26 2nd rd pick. Avs get top 6 player and depth on D.
I think you could be overestimating a return for Necas. A top 6, depth D and a 2nd is a little rich… Also, Batherson has 1 more year left on his deal. The Sens can be dumb but if they want to move him it would make sense for them to wait until the trade deadline when they could max their return. Necas for Batherson would save the Avs $1.5M for next year but I’m sure the Avs wouldn’t consider Batherson if they didn’t have an idea what a new contract for him would look like. I have no idea… Read more »
Considering batherson had played 82 games 3 times amd hit 60+ points 3 times i.think his contract would be at least 8.5
I honestly like the way the Avs do business. Everyone is replaceable and the salary cap/floor forces teams to spend money. If players are unhappy or are going to be hard to negotiate with, send them on. O’Reilly, Duchene, Rantanen and now Necas. We don’t need any of them if they are not on board with our philosophy. Very few cities are as nice as Denver, plenty of players will be happy if they come here. Only Mackinnon and Makar hold the cards, and honestly it is only Makar on his next deal. Mack is set and his next deal… Read more »
Actually, I am not against them trading him to acquire Marner if that could be worked out..I like Necas, but he seeded unhappy towards the end there. Don’t believe he liked being moved to the second line.. However, if Gab is a permanent fixture on the 2nd line
he should be thrilled with that…
So, he refused to sign long-term in Carolina, essentially blocked a trade to Buffalo(which is certainly understandable) and is now less than thrilled with being in Colorado? What exactly is this dude’s issue? What could he possibly have against playing on a perennial cup favorite on a line with Nate Dogg and with Cale more often than not? If he doesn’t agree to an extension, at a reasonable AAV, on or just after July 1st, they need to trade him to wherever he’ll sign and extension with, in order to maximize the return. Which, by making this public, he’s decreased… Read more »
Hard to believe he is unhappy here. If he is, get rid of him fast. The Avs do not need toxic players in the room. Necas really missed an opportunity to increase his value in the playoffs by not doing much on the score sheet. Hard to pay someone top dollar when they have not proved themselves in the playoffs.
sounds like more “negotiating tactics” type stuff but if they can’t extend him I wonder if they could put together a package for a guy like Travis Konecny? At 28 he’s right in his prime, locked up at $8.75 and is friends with Mackinnon so could be an incredible fit. Avs would need to move salary and he brings a lot to PHI off the ice too so would probably be a long shot but might as well explore every option if they’re considering another franchise altering trade
Here’s the deal. If Necas sits idly by and doesn’t address these negative comments then it’s ipso facto in my mind that they are true. And if that is so, then start the trade talks now and continue them until he’s gone. Necas strikes me as a guy who really doesn’t have any loyalty to any team or any city. He’s basically a NHL mercenary who is looking for the biggest paycheck possible. Great – find him a bottom feeder and obtain a good return (NOT draft choice(s)) to improve the team.
My guess is he’s just a guy from Czech Republic. Their demeanor is a little cooler than average. I don’t think anybody including the pundit has any idea what he’s thinking. I’m sure he would like to get a new contract, but he will probably give the Avs fair value and I think he’d be worth keeping. Lots of upside with his skating and ability to shoot, score and see the ice.
I believe Martin has talent. But he should have an agent, as well, who can advise him. Not addressing the rumors to me indicates they are true. From a PR standpoint, if I were Necas and his agent, I’d address them. Even a perfunctory statement like it’s not true and he enjoys playing in Colorado. But he might have an agent like Mikko that is just going after the most contract $$$ possible. Understandable. But Necas is not at the level Mikko is and he won’t command the same salary. Probably a $8M to $10M (absolute max) AAV contract with… Read more »
If he is unhappy, ship him out. He turned the puck over about 80% of the time and disrupted way too many plays. I personally thought he was terrible in the playoffs. Get somebody big and physical whether on defense or forward, and package Girard as well.
Necas will ultimately sign with the Avs. He has a lot of upside in this league and is a great fit with the Avs playing style. My guess is playing with Nate in the playoffs can be a bit rough, Landy will help soothe any hurt feelings
Playing with Mack in the playoffs is rough? Care to elaborate? He had 7 goals & 11 pts in 7 games. If that’s too mentally taxing or tough for princess Marty. I’m sure there’s plenty of other wingers some with actual bite to their game. Who would gladly take his spot on the right side of Mackinnon.
The more I think about it, the more I feel that no matter if the rumor is true or not, the Avs should try to trade Necas for Batherson. Batherson has size, plays all 82 games, consistently scores near 30 goals and almost 70 points. He also has one more year left at around $5M/year and the Avs could use the money. He would be a great complement to MacKinnon and not a player who wants to play MacKinnon’s role. It is tempting to think about trading Necas for a top 4 draft pick. That player could be someone who… Read more »
I’ll take the player and pass on the draft pick. And I don’t think Necas would fetch a top four selection. I’m all for getting more size and grit. Players that don’t wilt around playoff time when the ice shrinks. Physical players that can battle their way in front of the net and get the dirty goals.