Avalanche rumors: Why Logan Cooley extension helped ‘move the needle’ for Martin Necas
The Colorado Avalanche continued their electric start to the season with some off-ice news on Thursday, signing Martin Nečas to an eight-year contract extension.
Reports from the offseason indicated that negotiations between the two sides were far apart before the puck dropped. However, just 11 games into the season, Nečas is now locked in long-term with the Avalanche.
According to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, the Utah Mammoth’s recent contract deal with Logan Cooley played a key role in bringing Colorado and Nečas closer together.
“Negotiations were stuck for a while, with Colorado citing Cale Makar’s next contract as a factor in talks with the Nečas camp and a reason why the Avalanche had to be careful,” LeBrun reported. “Makar can be extended next summer from his current deal, which pays him $9 million a year, and the world’s best defenseman is in for a huge raise.”
LeBrun added, “There’s no question that Logan Cooley’s $10 million AAV extension on Wednesday helped move the needle. Once the Avalanche moved up to $11.5 million AAV, that was enough for Nečas to say yes. He’s found a home in Colorado, where the team’s fast-paced style fits nicely with his skating ability.”
The Mammoth are off to a strong start as well, tied with the Avalanche for the best record in the Western Conference. Cooley, who is much younger than Nečas and has less of a track record, was paid a premium by Utah to keep the promising center.
It also helps that Cooley was the key piece in the Mikko Rantanen trade, so losing him for free would have been a PR nightmare for the Mammoth.
Looking ahead, the Avalanche and Mammoth appear poised for some exciting matchups throughout the 2025-26 season as the Central Division unfolds. Nečas and Cooley will be at the heart of those battles as scoring centers for both clubs — and now, they are tied in contract history as well.
https://clutchpoints.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche/avalanche-rumors-logan-cooley-extension-move-the-needle-martin-necas
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