If the Avalanche fix the Nečas problem, if there is one, they only stand to benefit from it.
In professional sports, silence can be deafening—particularly when it surrounds a player rumored to be discontented.
In early June, veteran insider Nick Kypreos reported that Martin Nečas was less than fully satisfied with his experience during his initial season with the Colorado Avalanche. The claim sparked swift rebuttals from select members of the media, some of whom dismissed the notion outright. But amid the noise and counterclaims, one voice was notably absent: that of Nečas himself.
The Czech forward has yet to issue a statement affirming—or denying—his comfort in Colorado. And in a league where clarity is often the antidote to speculation, his silence has done little to quiet the conversation.
The Avalanche are no strangers to managing situations involving player unrest. A prominent example remains Matt Duchene, whose growing discontent became increasingly conspicuous during his final months with the organization. Unlike more discreet cases of internal dissatisfaction, Duchene’s desire for a change of scenery was markedly transparent—evident in his body language, his stand-offish interactions with the media, and a general demeanor that suggested his heart was no longer with the team.
Although Duchene was once viewed as a cornerstone of the franchise, the situation reached a point where his continued presence had become a distraction. In November 2017, the Avalanche parted ways with their former third-overall pick in a three-team trade involving the Ottawa Senators and Nashville Predators. Colorado sent Duchene to Ottawa, receiving a package that included top prospects Samuel Girard and Vladislav Kamenev, a first-round pick (which would become Bowen Byram), and other conditional assets. The transaction would later prove transformative. Colorado would go on to win the 2022 Stanley Cup championship, their third in franchise history, which Duchene has yet to accomplish.
Perhaps Nečas is simply the non-confrontational type. If reports of his dissatisfaction hold merit, it is incumbent upon the Avalanche organization to identify and address the underlying causes. To provide context, Nečas was thrust into a challenging situation upon his arrival from the Carolina Hurricanes—stepping into the void left by the trade of Mikko Rantanen, a move that was met with considerable resistance from the Avalanche fanbase. Understandably, Nečas may have perceived the circumstances as somewhat fraught or even dismissive of his own value, which offers a plausible explanation for any reticence.
Nečas Is Worth The Money
Upon joining the Avalanche in January, Nečas delivered an impressive 28 points— totaling 11 goals and 17 assists—over just 30 games, approaching a point-per-game pace. Overall, Nečas finished top 20 in league scoring posting 83 points (27 goals, 56 assists) over the regular season for both Carolina and Colorado.
Let’s compare Nečas’ performance to other right-wingers within a similar salary range.
Nikita Kucherov, at 32 years of age, recently secured his second consecutive Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s leading scorer, amassing an impressive 121 points—37 goals and 84 assists—while carrying a cap hit of $9.5 million. The contract was signed in 2018, though, when the salary cap was just $79.5 million. In contrast, Nečas, at just 26 years old, presents a compelling case for continued growth and sustained production. The Avalanche have every reason to anticipate that Nečas will maintain, if not elevate, his current pace. Unless his purported dissatisfaction in Colorado reaches a level that adversely affects his engagement with the team, the evidence from his regular-season performance clearly demonstrates that he is playing quality hockey and remains a vital contributor to the Avalanche’s offensive arsenal.
Let us also consider David Pastrňák of the Boston Bruins, who earns an annual salary of $11.25 million and recently completed a 106-point campaign, tallying 43 goals and 63 assists. At 29 years old, Pastrňák has established himself as a consistently prolific 40-goal scorer and a central piece of the Bruins offense. While Nečas’ current production does not yet fully reach Pastrňák’s level, his output is comparably close. Should Nečas continue to refine his on-ice performance and foster strong chemistry within the Avalanche locker room, a contract in the vicinity of $10 million annually would be both reasonable and reflective of his ascending trajectory.
Nečas was undeniably thrust into a challenging and, by many accounts, uncomfortable situation upon his arrival in Colorado—circumstances that may have understandably fostered some reservations about his role and future with the Avalanche. To be candid, a segment of the Avalanche fanbase can be notoriously demanding, evoking comparisons to the often insatiable expectations of Toronto Maple Leafs fans. This reality cannot be overlooked when considering the external pressures Nečas faces.
Moreover, it is entirely plausible that locker room dynamics following the trade engendered a sense of unease or exclusion, leaving Nečas to question whether he truly belonged within the team’s inner circle. Such sentiments are both valid and worthy of consideration.
However, if the organization and its supporters afford Nečas the patience and respect his talent warrants, allowing time for integration and chemistry to develop organically, there is every reason to believe he could blossom into a 90-100 point player over the coming seasons. The potential is undeniable; what remains is the collective willingness to nurture it.
Hometown Discount?
Cale Makar is due for a new contract at the end of the 2026–27 NHL season. That, too, must be factored into Colorado’s long-term cap calculus. As a two-time Norris Trophy winner and a Conn Smythe Trophy recipient, Makar is widely considered the best player in the league. Priority should go to Makar, but how the Avalanche navigate the contractual interplay between Nečas and Makar will serve as a defining inflection point in shaping the organization’s future trajectory.
If Colorado can persuade Nečas to agree to a team-friendly contract now, the long-term implications could be profoundly beneficial. Securing a future superstar below market value would provide the Avalanche with a critical margin for flexibility.
If Nečas is willing to buy into the long-term vision and accept a slightly discounted rate in exchange for organizational stability and a legitimate shot at a Stanley Cup, both sides stand to gain. If Nečas is not willing to play ball, or in this case, puck, Chris MacFarland will have more moves up his sleeve.