Martin Nečas has officially re-signed with the Colorado Avalanche for eight years and a total of $92 million, averaging $11.5 million annually, as announced by the team on Thursday. This new contract positions Nečas as the second-highest earner on the team, trailing only behind superstar center Nathan McKinnon, who has a cap hit of $12.6 million.
Nečas, who is completing a two-year deal with an AAV of $6.5 million that he signed with the Carolina Hurricanes in July 2024, has secured a substantial signing bonus of $60.4 million in his new agreement.
Negotiations for this contract faced challenges, primarily due to the upcoming contract of Cale Makar, the Avalanche’s standout defenseman. With Makar’s current deal set at $9 million annually, there are significant expectations for a sizable raise, and this financial reality played a crucial role in the discussions regarding Nečas’ contract.
Additionally, the recent extension of Logan Cooley at a $10 million AAV provided momentum for the final negotiations, leading the Avalanche to offer Nečas the $11.5 million AAV that ultimately sealed the deal. Nečas has thrived in the Avalanche’s fast-paced system, effectively filling the role left vacant by star forward Mikko Rantanen after his trade to Carolina.
This marks Nečas’ first long-term contract, having previously been acquired in the blockbuster trade involving Rantanen last January. Since joining the Avalanche, Nečas has been demonstrating impressive form, netting seven goals and six assists in just 11 games, while recording points in nine of those contests. Last season, he accumulated a career-high of 83 points across 27 goals while performing admirably in his 30 games with the Avalanche.
Nečas’ re-signing further alters the landscape of the potential 2026 unrestricted free agency market, especially with other high-profile players like Kirill Kaprizov and Connor McDavid already having signed extensions. Looking ahead, Adrian Kempe of the Los Angeles Kings is next in line among top forwards, while some aging stars, including Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin, will also be on expiring contracts.
This strategic move by the Avalanche not only solidifies Nečas’ future with the team but also reflects the organization’s commitment to maintaining a competitive roster in the years to come.