Insider reports indicate the Avalanche feeling forward Martin Necas may not re-sign and could look to deal him.
The 2026 NHL Free Agent class has the potential to be the biggest in league history with some of the biggest names up for grabs. Barring a similar event to this year where all the top players re-sign, we could see a major shake up within the league.
Most hockey fans look to biggest names like Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel and Artemi Panarin among others on the block and salivate at the idea of their team nabbing one of the league's best.
Chris Johnston: Martin Necas is probably the most important decision [for the Avalanche]; figuring out if you can sign him and if not how do you deal with that? Do you walk him to free agency…? – Chris Johnston Show
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) July 10, 2025
For Detroit fans, there's a name to look out for in the bunch that could be a potential option for the Red Wings in Colorado's Martin Necas. The 26-year-old winger has grown into a solid 70-80 point producer with upside to grow even further. His large frame at 6-foot-2 and nearly 200 pounds have led some, like Spittin' Chiclets Ryan Whitney, to describe his play as a 'horse on skates' as he is extremely hard to move.
As the 12th overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, the pressure has been on Necas to perform and he has in some of the biggest moments. With 13 points through 18 playoff games in 2019 or five points through Colorado's seven-game series with the Dallas Stars this past postseason, Necas has shown he can make an impact when the team needs him and could help elevate a cup contender or on a rising team like the Red Wings.
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He is currently entering the final year of his two-year bridge deal with a very friendly $6.5 million cap hit. Detroit could easily move prospects and picks to an Avalanche team that has relatively sold off the boat in terms of assets to keep them competitive. This became evident when Colorado recently traded off depth forwards in Miles Wood and Charlie Coyle to the Columbus Blue Jackets for a prospect and two draft picks.
Selling off a player on an expiring deal like Necas, who could help Colorado massively improve their draft capital and prospect pool in a trade makes a lot of sense. The Red Wings would be able to compensate better than most and as they have plenty of high-end prospects that they would be able to give up for a young impact player like Necas.
Elliotte Friedman: Re Martin Necas: Is he going to commit to the Avalanche? And if the answer is no, what is Colorado going to do about that? That's going to be one of the interesting questions throughout the year – 32 Thoughts Podcast
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) July 8, 2025
There's been some insider reports indicating the Avalanche being worried about the chance of Necas not wanting to re-sign and test the market. Detroit would be able to get a top-six winger that would require some moving around as they already have Lucas Raymond and Alex DeBrincat on the right wing. However, he would be an instant boost on offence and they could keep around for several years as he's so young.
Necas's next contract with the growing cap could be in the neighborhood of anywhere between $8-9 million per season which would fit into Detroit's budget. Necas could prove to be very happy where he is with some of the best players in the world in Colorado or he could have a chance to play a big role with a team that should be contending in the coming years like Detroit.
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