The Colorado Avalanche traded Mikko Rantanen for Martin Nečas—now Chris MacFarland’s projected $10M gamble faces the test

When the Colorado Avalanche sent Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes in a high-stakes July trade, it sparked immediate backlash. The star winger, who reportedly wanted to stay, was moved for Martin Nečas, Jack Drury, a 2025 second-round pick, and a 2026 fourth-round pick.

It was a calculated gamble by general manager Chris MacFarland, who clearly had his eyes on long-term roster control and a better financial balance. Now, as contract talks with Nečas approach a critical stage, the Avalanche find themselves at a defining crossroads. What Nečas signs for—and how he performs—will determine whether MacFarland’s gamble pays off or backfires.Colorado bet on Martin Nečas as a younger, cost-controlled option after trading Mikko Rantanen to Carolina.

With contract talks looming, the Avalanche face a pivotal moment.

With Mikko Rantanen gone, the pressure is on Martin Nečas to prove he’s worth the bet—and the $10 million payday looming in Colorado

The trade wasn’t just bold—it was personal for Avalanche fans. Mikko Rantanen, a proven playoff performer and elite winger, had made it clear he wanted to stay in Denver. But with his contract set to expire and salary demands climbing, Chris MacFarland made a controversial move, sending Rantanen to Carolina in exchange for younger assets—headlined by Martin Nečas.

The justification? Nečas carried an extra year of team control and looked like a natural fit beside superstar center Nathan MacKinnon. MacFarland, weighing future cap space and roster flexibility, likely saw the move as a way to extend Colorado’s competitive window without locking into another massive contract.The risk, however, remains enormous.

Nečas showed promising chemistry after arriving in Colorado, scoring 11 goals and tallying 28 points across 30 games to close out the 2025 season.

His final totals stood at 27 goals and 83 points in 79 games—strong numbers that hinted at his ability to shoulder top-line responsibilities.But the Avalanche now face a contract puzzle that mirrors the one they just tried to escape. Speaking on Sportsnet’s Real Kyper and Bourne in late June, NHL analyst Nick Kypreos said, “The feeling is Martin Nečas could get $10 million or more.” That projected number has stirred a new round of debate: if Nečas is going to command $10 million per year, why didn’t Colorado just pay Rantanen the $12 million the Dallas Stars handed him?It’s a question that looms over the front office.

For MacFarland, the decision to swap proven production for a younger alternative only makes sense if Nečas can match that output—and do so at a more manageable cost.Martin Nečas, who won’t turn 27 until January, brings speed, skill, and a profile that complements MacKinnon’s relentless pace. His potential to evolve into a long-term cornerstone, behind MacKinnon and Cale Makar, is exactly what Colorado is banking on.

Martin Nečas’s deal will define the Colorado Avalanche’s future without Mikko Rantanen

The next contract Martin Nečas signs won’t just impact his career—it could redefine Chris MacFarland’s tenure as general manager. The Avalanche made their choice, parting ways with Mikko Rantanen for a player they believe fits the future. But the moment Nečas inks his new deal, comparisons will begin—and likely never stop. Fair or not, these contract talks now carry the weight of a franchise-altering trade and the future direction of the Colorado Avalanche.Also Read: Rory Kerins, Yan Kuznetsov, and Jeremie Poirier re-signed as Calgary Flames put trio on notice in high-stakes season