- Aug 25, 2006
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It was said quite a few time on this board by some people here with regard to trading Mikko.
[COL, CAR, CHI] Rantanen-Hall to CAR, Necas-Drury-25 2nd-26 4th to COL, Chi 25 3rd to Chi (Ret 50% on Mikko)
- Thread starter Bill Peckerskull
- Start date
LOFIN
Registered User
- Sep 16, 2011
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Yes, because no one though there would be an asset like Necas available for him. That is literally unprecedented.
Foppa2118
Registered User
- Oct 3, 2003
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I wish Drury was a little bit bigger for the role he plays, but he really is an outstanding defensive forward. Every game he works his ass off and makes some really good defensive reads and plays.
Not sure if he'll be a 3C or 4C going forward. He's shown me some good vision, and a good shot at times, but it hasn't totally clicked offensively. Very hard to play defense and offense at the same time in Bednar's system though. It's very phsycially taxing.
I think he might be able to form a good 3rd line though. He might not be the main driver on a 3rd line offensively, but give him a somewhat skilled winger or two, with decent IQ, and I think it could be a good line.
Maybe he can be a low scoring stabilizer to the lineup on the 3rd line, kinda like Nikolishin was back in the day. That team was night and day without his stability up the middle.
Not sure if he'll be a 3C or 4C going forward. He's shown me some good vision, and a good shot at times, but it hasn't totally clicked offensively. Very hard to play defense and offense at the same time in Bednar's system though. It's very phsycially taxing.
I think he might be able to form a good 3rd line though. He might not be the main driver on a 3rd line offensively, but give him a somewhat skilled winger or two, with decent IQ, and I think it could be a good line.
Maybe he can be a low scoring stabilizer to the lineup on the 3rd line, kinda like Nikolishin was back in the day. That team was night and day without his stability up the middle.
flyfysher
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- Mar 21, 2012
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Isn’t it great that CMac thought so unlike everyone else? Avs won the 2025 NHL TDL.
- Aug 25, 2006
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Necas' name came up in trade proposals because we knew it was a strong possibility he would leave after his contract is over and therefore CAR would be willing to trade him.
LOFIN
Registered User
- Sep 16, 2011
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This is true, and I've also said that from the Canes perspective losing Necas is not as it would seem for us.
But it's still unprecedented. Usually UFAs, even the very good ones, just get you picks and prospects.
- Aug 25, 2006
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NHL.com article with Marty Party
www.nhlpa.com
Traded to the Colorado Avalanche on Jan. 24, Martin Necas quickly built on-ice chemistry with his new teammates.
Martin Necas has been quick to build strong on-ice chemistry with his new Colorado Avalanche teammates.
Necas admitted life has been hectic since the Jan. 24 blockbuster trade that sent him and Carolina Hurricanes teammate Jack Drury to Colorado in exchange for Mikko Rantanen, as part of a three-team deal. The forward didn’t have much time to reflect on the trade before suiting up for his first game with his new team.
Through his first 19 games in Denver, Necas has been sensational, scoring seven goals, three of them game-winners, and recording 18 points.
“It was a whirlwind after the trade,” recalled the 26-year-old, who grew up in Nové Město na Moravě a town of 9,800 people in Czechia. “Jack and I were traded on Friday, then flew to Boston to play that night. It was good to get going right away, but the first game was tough. After that, I was able to settle in. We lost, but I knew things would get better.”
Better than Necas, who was drafted 12th overall by Carolina in 2017, could have ever envisioned.
Playing centre on one of the league’s most formidable first lines alongside last year’s Ted Lindsay Award recipient, Nathan MacKinnon, who currently leads all scorers with 103 points, and Artturi Lehkonen, who is tied with MacKinnon for the team lead in goals (27), Necas has been an ideal fit.
“Feeling comfortable on the ice is the most important thing after a trade, and it’s been amazing. The guys here made me feel right at home. The Carolina guys will always be like brothers to me I still stay in touch with them but everyone here has welcomed me, and it’s been a lot of fun.”
A veteran of 430 NHL regular-season games, Necas is enjoying the opportunity to be part of a group that was always a challenge to play against.
“They play so quick and control the puck and are so effective in so many ways. They are a very good team, with a lot of skill, and can push the pace a lot. They were always tough to play against, so it’s been nice to see it from a different side now.”
Necas also has high praise for MacKinnon, who reached the 1,000-point plateau on March 10 with his first two assists against the Chicago Blackhawks. He became the third player in franchise history to hit the 1,000-point mark, joining Hockey Hall of Fame inductees Joe Sakic (1,641 points) and Peter Stastny (1,048 points).
“He does everything to win,” praised Necas. “He is very intense and not just on the ice. He is always so well prepared for the games. Obviously, he’s a brilliant player and he is a great teammate, too.”
With the shock of the trade now behind him, Necas, who recorded 55 points in his first 49 games of the 2024-25 season with Carolina, is now focused on helping the Avalanche make a Stanley Cup run.
Colorado’s primary goal, for now, is to arrive at the post-season in top form.
“You want to be playing your best hockey heading into the playoffs and that’s the focus for us,” said Necas, who played a starring role for Czechia’s gold medal run at the 2024 IIHF World Ice Hockey Championship. “We want to keep building on team chemistry until the 82nd game and then go on from there.”
Necas, who has recorded a career-best 73 points in 2024-25, is ready for the challenge ahead.
“When you are traded, you know it will take some time to adjust to things on your new team. But the guys here have been great and made that transition a lot easier. They have made me feel comfortable on and off the ice.”
Necas gearing up for playoff run alongside new Avalanche teammates
Traded to the Colorado Avalanche on Jan. 24, Martin Necas quickly built on-ice chemistry with his new teammates.
www.nhlpa.com
Traded to the Colorado Avalanche on Jan. 24, Martin Necas quickly built on-ice chemistry with his new teammates.
Martin Necas has been quick to build strong on-ice chemistry with his new Colorado Avalanche teammates.
Necas admitted life has been hectic since the Jan. 24 blockbuster trade that sent him and Carolina Hurricanes teammate Jack Drury to Colorado in exchange for Mikko Rantanen, as part of a three-team deal. The forward didn’t have much time to reflect on the trade before suiting up for his first game with his new team.
Through his first 19 games in Denver, Necas has been sensational, scoring seven goals, three of them game-winners, and recording 18 points.
“It was a whirlwind after the trade,” recalled the 26-year-old, who grew up in Nové Město na Moravě a town of 9,800 people in Czechia. “Jack and I were traded on Friday, then flew to Boston to play that night. It was good to get going right away, but the first game was tough. After that, I was able to settle in. We lost, but I knew things would get better.”
Better than Necas, who was drafted 12th overall by Carolina in 2017, could have ever envisioned.
Playing centre on one of the league’s most formidable first lines alongside last year’s Ted Lindsay Award recipient, Nathan MacKinnon, who currently leads all scorers with 103 points, and Artturi Lehkonen, who is tied with MacKinnon for the team lead in goals (27), Necas has been an ideal fit.
“Feeling comfortable on the ice is the most important thing after a trade, and it’s been amazing. The guys here made me feel right at home. The Carolina guys will always be like brothers to me I still stay in touch with them but everyone here has welcomed me, and it’s been a lot of fun.”
A veteran of 430 NHL regular-season games, Necas is enjoying the opportunity to be part of a group that was always a challenge to play against.
“They play so quick and control the puck and are so effective in so many ways. They are a very good team, with a lot of skill, and can push the pace a lot. They were always tough to play against, so it’s been nice to see it from a different side now.”
Necas also has high praise for MacKinnon, who reached the 1,000-point plateau on March 10 with his first two assists against the Chicago Blackhawks. He became the third player in franchise history to hit the 1,000-point mark, joining Hockey Hall of Fame inductees Joe Sakic (1,641 points) and Peter Stastny (1,048 points).
“He does everything to win,” praised Necas. “He is very intense and not just on the ice. He is always so well prepared for the games. Obviously, he’s a brilliant player and he is a great teammate, too.”
With the shock of the trade now behind him, Necas, who recorded 55 points in his first 49 games of the 2024-25 season with Carolina, is now focused on helping the Avalanche make a Stanley Cup run.
Colorado’s primary goal, for now, is to arrive at the post-season in top form.
“You want to be playing your best hockey heading into the playoffs and that’s the focus for us,” said Necas, who played a starring role for Czechia’s gold medal run at the 2024 IIHF World Ice Hockey Championship. “We want to keep building on team chemistry until the 82nd game and then go on from there.”
Necas, who has recorded a career-best 73 points in 2024-25, is ready for the challenge ahead.
“When you are traded, you know it will take some time to adjust to things on your new team. But the guys here have been great and made that transition a lot easier. They have made me feel comfortable on and off the ice.”
His speed makes his lazy moments look like when Mikko got into Cocain bear's stash.
My only complaint with him is some defensive reads, but Bednar has him moving his feet pretty consistently. The other night he had 8 shots on goal, and was everywhere.
Richard88
John 3:16
- Jun 29, 2019
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That quote by the older guy in the middle of the video is pretty accurate:
Welcome to life without Mackinnon, Mikko... Now you're the best player on the ice and you're not going to get the space and time you were afforded in Colorado where Mackinnon was the main focus of the opposing teams attention.
Foppa2118
Registered User
- Oct 3, 2003
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Think that's Craig Ludwig.
I haven't watched Mikko much with the Stars or Canes, but from that brief clip, it looks like they were trying to give him the puck in the middle of the ice?
He shouldn't be the guy carrying the puck a lot in transition and making zone entries. He never did that much in Colorado and when he did he had a lot more time and space because the opposition was focused on Nate.
He can be a playmaker, but he excels when someone else carries the puck, and he can be a sniper.
MonsterMack
He did the Mack, He did the monster Mack
When the best player on the ice can't drive the play, is mostly stationary, and spends half the game on his ass is he really the best player on the ice? Phenomenal finisher with great touch on his passes, but he will only ever be second fiddle
Foppa2118
Registered User
- Oct 3, 2003
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Depends on who he's on the ice with. If he plays with Kadri for example, and Naz carries the puck, and drives the play, is he better than Mikko?
the_fan
Registered User
- Jul 25, 2006
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You guys all know I was a big Mikko fan and I thought we would never trade him, but it just very well might be that the most of his point production was him playing next to Nate. He has combined 19 games played with Canes and Stars and has 10 points. That’s a 43 point pace.
forsbergavs32
Global Moderator
I’ll be curious to see a full season with Dallas. I don’t think what we saw in Carolina is indicative of Mikko going forward, but I also don’t expect to see him with 100+ point seasons either.
the_fan
Registered User
- Jul 25, 2006
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He’s still under PPG with Dallas, although smaller sample size. I don’t think he’s gonna drop to a 40 point player in Dallas, but don’t think he’s a 100 point player there either. Probably not even close. More like 80-85
I agree with this. The issue for Dallas, however, is how do you justify an 80 point player with a $12M salary?
niwotsblessing
Registered User
May Dallas be plagued with more and continuing issues of such a nature.
MarkT
Heretic
- Nov 11, 2017
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Did anyone else also think Sven Andrighetto was going to be a legit top 6 option going forward after he put up almost a point per game after the trade?
I think his nickname should be Fred Astaire. I don't know if I've ever seen a guy who looks so much like he's dancing on the ice, and that included Makar. That combined with his shot and his size is just... *chef's kiss*. There have been some hiccups of course, but for now I'm assuming those are him learning the system. He looks like a real keeper, and another guy (besides MacKinnon and Nichushkin) who can potentially drive his own line.
Colorado Avalanche
No Babe pictures
Exactly. Rantanen was only third on the list of worries because MacK and Makar. Those guys got the key attention or most of the attention.
Colorado Avalanche
No Babe pictures
My opinion: Rantanen did get lazy because he got used to fed by MacK and Makar and other top guys. That laziness cost him in terms of his own game and now it's showing when trying to do more than just put up points on paper. I think he can fix things next summer by working hard and coming back physically 100%. He just looks way too slow and weak to make a difference now. That's few years of laziness he needs to shake off. He had it too good for so many years and got sloppy.
For me it will be very interesting to see how he plays next season. I think this season will be meh because those bad habits. He will bounce back next season I think. He has too much pride to play this badly.
Colorado Avalanche
No Babe pictures
I agree with this. It's normal though. MacK is an animal not to mention Makar. We could argue Mikko played with the best forward and the best defenseman in the league! Of course it inflates his stats, those two guys would inflate everyone's stats. They are that good.
flyfysher
Registered User
- Mar 21, 2012
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While I agree with this perspective I’m not sure he’ll be a 100 point player again at least not consistently. We will see though.
Colorado Avalanche
No Babe pictures
Not easily. Very quickly you get into a situation like Leafs. You pay too much for your frontline and it inflates all the new contracts as well.
Leafs made mistake by signing Tavares imo
Colorado Avalanche
No Babe pictures
Yeah, I mean Dallas just doesn't have the same quality as MacK and Makar. No other team has really. It's normal for his output to lower but I think his overall game can still improve. That's the key I think.
His overall game for a 12 million dollar player is very poor.
