Avalanche Reportedly Come to an Ultimatum With Star Martin Necas

What a difference a year makes for the Colorado Avalanche. Last summer, GM Chris MacFarland was hamstrung, operating in tremendous uncertainty about Gabe Landeskog and Valeri Nichushkin.

Landeskog hadn't suited up in nearly two years, and Nichushkin was sitting on the sidelines with no defined timeline for his return.

The duo accounted for more than $13 million in cap space combined, and there wasn't much room to maneuver for the Avalanche.

Flash forward to the present: Landeskog and Nichushkin are healthy and will suit up for the 2025-26 season. The Avs now have only $1.2 million of cap space available, but the vibe surrounding the club has all changed.

With a talent-heavy group of forwards already on board, Colorado is once again mentioned as a team to pay attention to. One name that continues to come up? Martin Necas.

Necas, acquired last winter as part of the blockbuster Mikko Rantanen trade, is on the last year of his deal. He'll be a UFA in a year, and that's stressing everyone out.

Frank Seravalli writes that the Avalanche have made a decision: sign him right away, or trade him.

They can't put themselves in the same boat they did with Rantanen a year ago, negotiating the whole year only to lose a franchise player.

Necas does have value to the team. He's not getting attention, but within the organization, there is talk that he will be traded if contract talks do not go well.

If the Avs can't sign him to a number they feel is acceptable, don't be surprised if they trade him before the season is underway. Colorado simply can't start another season with that amount of uncertainty hanging over their core.