"Cheaper and better than Mikko": NHL fans react as Martin Necas signs 8-year, $11.5M contract extension with Avalanche 

The Colorado Avalanche have signed forward Martin Necas to an eight-year contract extension. The deal is worth $11.5 million per year and runs through the 2033-34 season. Reporter Elliotte Friedman said the contract includes $60 million in signing bonuses and a full no-move clause for seven years.

"The Colorado Avalanche and Martin Necas completed an 8-year, $11.5M contract extension. Another UFA off the board…front-loaded, $60M in signing bonuses, full NMC the first 7 years of the new deal." Friedman wrote on X.

Soon, NHL fans noticed the signing on X as the news broke. They joined in the comment section to share their response to Necas' signing long term in Colorado.

"Cheaper and better than Mikko. Let’s goooooo" One fan wrote, referring for former Avs forward Mikko Rantanen, who now plays for Dallas. "I love Mikko, but seeing what Necas has been doing and how things have started to gel with Nate…give me Necas for 8x11.5 over Mikko at 12.5. The flexibility the trade gave the team financially as well as bringing in Drury and some picks. Totally worth it. Love this deal!" another fan said. "Kudos to Macfarland, Necas is 26 and will continue to be above a PPG guy for us for the foreseeable future. As long as we lock Cale down next year I love it" one fan wrote.

Here are some more reactions from fans on Necas signing:

"Idk, seems fine imo. Ik Rantanen leaving and only getting 500k more may hurt but Necas is like 3 years younger, a tad cheaper, added center depth in Drury and this trade helped them dump Miles Wood contract while also getting Gavin Brindley" a fan wrote. "Youngest player in Colorado’s Top Six? Nice! 🤘" anoter fan looked excited. "11.5 AAV for a 50 to 60 point per year guy ? And the lightning have hagel at 6.5 AAV 😃👍" a fan reacted, referring to Brandon Hagel, who scored 90 points last season.

Martin Necas came to Avalanche in a trade from Carolina

Martin Necas, 26, is in his first full season with Colorado. He joined the Avalanche from the Carolina Hurricanes in January 2025. So far this season, Necas has 13 points in 11 games, including seven goals and six assists. He started the season with an eight-game point streak, the longest of his career.

Last season, Martin Necas reached a career-high 83 points. However, he has scored over 60 points only twice in his career since debuting in the 2017-18 season. The Avalanche sees Necas as an important part of their offense and he fits well with the team’s top players.

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Edited by Ankit Kumar