Next summer had lined up to be one of the hottest free agent markets in NHL history. Unfortunately for those teams hoping to do some 1st shopping the market has dwindled with very few top end talents remaining. Today that market became even thinner as the Colorado Avalanche and free agent Martin Necas came together on an 8-year extension to keep the forward in Colorado.
This deal comes after reports that Necas was destined to hit the free agent Market and could even be shopped at the deadline by Colorado if a deal was not in place. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet was the first to break the deal providing the following details.
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.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 30, 2025
The extension locks up a core piece for the Avalanche. Necas has been on fire to start his first full season in Colorado after being acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes. Through 11 games played in the 2025-26 season, Necas has registered 7 goals and 6 assists for 13 points with a +7 rating, including 4 points on the power play.