Avalanche face familiar crossroads with Martin Necas trade rumours
Photo credit: Melissa Tamez / Icon Sportswire
The Colorado Avalanche are once again at a familiar crossroads concerning their star forward Martin Necas, as swirling trade rumours put the team's future decisions under intense scrutiny.
Necas has reportedly been unhappy in Colorado since being traded from the Carolina Hurricanes in January of last NHL season.
Avalanche face familiar dilemma with Martin Necas.
Dave Jenkins from NHL Trade Rumor writes that it feels all too familiar, right? Just last season, the hockey world was buzzing about the Avalanche's star forward, Mikko Rantanen, entering the final year of his contract with a huge payday looming.
Now, it's time very player they traded for him, Necas, facing the same spotlight. The irony is palpable, and it's left GM Chris MacFarland with a critical decision that could shape the team's competitive future.
"In Martin Necas, they received a dynamic, top-six forward with speed to burn. He didn't disappoint. In 30 regular-season games wearing the burgundy and blue, Necas was a force, putting up an impressive 28 points on 11 goals and 17 assists.
He seamlessly integrated into the top six, providing the secondary scoring punch the team desperately needed. But his success has only complicated his future in the Mile High City." -Jenkins
He seamlessly integrated into the top six, providing the secondary scoring punch the team desperately needed. But his success has only complicated his future in the Mile High City." -Jenkins
According to NHL insider Nick Kypreos, determining the long-term future of Necas has become the Avalanche front office's most pressing unresolved issue. Necas is entering the final year of his contract, which featured a team-friendly $6.5 million cap hit.
"After this season, he's an unrestricted free agent, free to sign with the highest bidder. His stellar performance means he's in line for a significant raise, and in a salary cap environment that's finally seeing healthy growth, the feeling around the league is that his next AAV could start with a '10.'
Are the Avalanche, with massive contracts already committed to Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Gabriel Landeskog, and Devon Toews, willing to add another $10-million-plus player to their books?" -Jenkins
Are the Avalanche, with massive contracts already committed to Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Gabriel Landeskog, and Devon Toews, willing to add another $10-million-plus player to their books?" -Jenkins
The Avalanche went through this exact situation with Rantanen, when they entered extension talks but ultimately decided they couldn't or wouldn't meet his price. Rather than risk losing him for nothing or letting the uncertainty linger, they chose to trade him proactively.
"They could potentially acquire a top-four defenseman or a package of younger, more cost-controlled assets to rebalance their roster. While trading another star forward in back-to-back years would be a tough pill for the fanbase to swallow, it may be the most pragmatic path to sustained success under a hard salary cap." -Jenkins
Time is running out, and the trade rumours surrounding Necas are only set to intensify.
Source:
NHL Trade Rumor
Déjà Vu in Denver? Avalanche Face Familiar Crossroads with Martin Necas Rumors
NHL Trade Rumor
Déjà Vu in Denver? Avalanche Face Familiar Crossroads with Martin Necas Rumors
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 29 | 14 ANSWERS Avalanche face familiar crossroads with Martin Necas trade rumours Do you think the Avalanche will find a way to extend star forward Martin Necas when his contract is up next summer? | ||
| yes | 8 | 57.1 % |
| no | 6 | 42.9 % |
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