Martin Necas Signs 8-Year Extension With Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche and Martin Necas have reportedly agreed to an eight-year, $92 million contract extension. The Avalanche acquired Necas in a three-team deal back in January, and finally got a long-term deal done.
Necas Stays With Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche traded for Martin Necas in a blockbuster deal in January, due to contract negotiations stalling with long-time star Mikko Rantanen. He was reportedly seeking a deal worth $14 million annually. Rantanen ended up being dealt again to the Dallas Stars, as he was unwilling to sign a long-term deal with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Rantanen would eventually sign an eight-year, $96 million deal with the Dallas Stars. Compared to Necas’ extension, he’s making an extra $500,000 per year. Looking back, I think most people can agree that Rantanen is worth the extra money, but it wasn’t clear that he would’ve signed that deal when the Avalanche dealt him to Carolina.
The Avalanche did a nice job of securing their star winger at a reasonable price, putting Martin Necas and Nathan Mackinnon together for a long time. The young star has been fun to watch in Jared Bednar’s system, showing how much value he holds on the offensive side of the ice.
In Martin Necas’ new deal, he’ll make $11.5 million per season and will receive $60 million in signing bonuses. In his new deal with Colorado, he will receive a no-movement clause up until the seventh year.
Avalanche Got Great Value
The Colorado Avalanche did a nice job overall when looking back at this deal in the bigger picture. Necas is three years younger than Rantanen, a better facilitator, and they were also able to acquire Jack Drury in the trade.
When comparing this deal against Rantanen’s, you can’t focus on the one-for-one aspect of it. Colorado was able to move off a player who wanted a long-term deal with an annual value of $14 million, which he didn’t get when he signed an extension with the Dallas Stars. The Avalanche were also able to acquire more assets while bringing an elite offensive player.
Getting an extension done now was key, as he’s off to a hot start with Colorado this season and was set to hit the open market. So far this season, he has 13 points in just 11 games, scoring 7 goals and 6 assists. He and Nathan MacKinnon have been an extremely exciting duo to watch, combining for 30 points already this year.
