Kaprizov's latest blockbuster extension exposes the hard truth about Necas' future with the Avalanche
Photo credit: Jerome Miron / Imagn Images
Kirill Kaprizov's record-breaking contract extension shines a spotlight on the difficult reality facing Avalanche star Martin Necas and his future in Colorado.
Kaprizov's ha signed the largest contract in NHL history, $17M AAV over 8 seasons with the Minnesota Wild, after reportedly turning down a $16M AAV deal last month.
Kirill Kaprizov's record deal reveals the harsh reality for Martin Necas' future with the Avalanche.
Adrian Hernandez from Mile High Hockey writes that the Wild followed through on their promise to do whatever it took to keep Kaprizov, but will the Avalanche show the same commitment to Necas, or will he be traded like Mikko Rantanen?
Kaprizov's record-breaking deal puts the spotlight on players still awaiting extensions, including Necas.
With top-end talent now commanding even higher prices, how will this market shift impact Necas and Colorado?
Anyone who things a player will accept a "team-friendly" contract over the next five years is being unrealistic.
Necas holds significant leverage as the regular season approaches, and any strong performance with Colorado will strengthen his case as an elite player, inevitably his market value.
The same applies to other upcoming free agents, including Connor McDavid.
"I think this season and the subsequent summer after will prove to be the most scene-shaking timeframe in the modern era of hockey. I do believe we see a number of the games' most proven and prosperous talent playing for teams that we wouldn't have ever expected.
With all of that volatility on the table, I bet agents advise players differently than before in the sense that they will be far more willing to hit the open market. That will leave teams to choose whether to let them walk or deal said talent elsewhere." -Hernandez
With all of that volatility on the table, I bet agents advise players differently than before in the sense that they will be far more willing to hit the open market. That will leave teams to choose whether to let them walk or deal said talent elsewhere." -Hernandez
The Necas situation feels like déjà vu from the Rantanen saga. Back then, Colorado traded Mikko largely because they wouldn't meet his reported $14 million ask. The same likely applies to Necas, whose reps might push for $11-12 million, still well below Kaprizov's $6 million higher salary.
If Colorado balks at Necas' price, history suggests they won't hesitate to move on. Their loyalty to him likely isn't greater than it was for Rantanen, so a trade could be the inevitable next step.
"All of this is to say that I think the Avs should swallow their pride and pay Necas his asking price in real time. Even if they think it's inflated, they can lean on cap percentage logic and remind themselves that his price will go up every day that goes by. They can't just keep kicking the can down the road because every time it's kicked, actually picking it up gets more expensive - even if the can is now far less appealing." -Hernandez
Using MacKinnon's AAV as a benchmark is outdated. The cost of keeping elite talent keeps rising, and the Avs need to accept that and start paying accordingly.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 2 | 29 ANSWERS Kaprizov's latest blockbuster extension exposes the hard truth about Necas' future with the Avalanche Do you think Necas is worth just as much as Kaprizov's new contract extension? | ||
| yes | 3 | 10.3 % |
| no | 26 | 89.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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