Undoubtedly, trading Mikko Rantanen will go down as one of the most revisited moves in Colorado Avalanche history. It may feel like a long time ago, but Nathan MacKinnon and company might see a very similar situation unfold before their eyes during the 2025-26 NHL season.
The Avalanche have yet to agree on an extension with Martin Necas. The 26-year-old forward arrived in Denver as part of the three-team trade that shipped Rantanen away to Carolina. While the Moose’s stay in Raleigh was short-lived, the Avs are hoping Necas won’t follow suit.
Still, MacKinnon’s Avalanche hasn’t seen much progress so far. As it stands, the former first-round selection will enter a contract year during the 2025-26 NHL campaign. Colorado can’t help but think about last season’s drama, when Rantanen was set to become an UFA.
For what it’s worth, the Avalanche have experience in this department now. They should’ve learned from their past mistake and know how to handle MacKinnon’s star teammate this time around—at least, that’s what insider Frank Seravalli believes.
“I would assume they’re working on Martin Necas and a contract extension, because amazingly enough they’re kind of right back in the same situation that they were with Mikko Rantanen. They’re kind of in a very similar cap situation,” Seravalli said on Bleacher Report Insider Notebook. “They’ve had to make very difficult decisions.
“Are they really going to go in to another season with another player one year away from unrestricted free agency? And having to make that call midseason? It’s a really uncomfortable spot for them to be in.“
It all comes back to that trade
Obviously, the Avalanche must move forward and focus on the road ahead. The landscape in the Western Conference has only grown tougher. The Rantanen trade is water under the bridge—or so Colorado likes to tell itself. But when all is said and done, everything tends to trace back to the domino effect sparked by The Moose’s shocking departure.
“If Necas goes north of point-per-game next season, with the rising cap, aren’t the Avs really looking at an average annual value (AAV) that begins with $10 million? And if it does, wouldn’t the Avalanche have been better off with keeping Rantanen at $12 or $12.5M? That’s certainly within the realm of possibility Rantanen would’ve signed for in Colorado, and underlines the position that the Avs are in moving forward,” Seravalli concluded.
Where to next for Georgiev?
Alexandar Georgiev is definitely not a name that fans in Colorado relate with too many bright memories. Aside from his first season in town, the goaltender struggled consistently in The Mile High City. Last season, the 29-year-old was traded to the San Jose Sharks, where his performance wasn’t any better.
Georgiev is currently an unrestricted free agent, awaiting for a call to put him off the unemployed list in the NHL. However, reports suggest he’d have to sign a much cap-friendlier contract than his previous three-year, $10.2 million deal.
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“The 29-year-old will certainly have to take a pay cut from the $3.4 million he’s earned in each of the past four seasons,” The Hockey News’ Adam Proteau stated. “But in the right circumstances, Georgiev could provide some value and support for a younger goalie tandem.“