Since his arrival in the Mile High City late last season, Martin “Nesty” Necas, the adept player, has earned a mountain of praise. Both the Colorado Avalanche fan base, coaching staff, and especially his teammates since the start of preseason workouts.
In a February 25, 2025, story published by NHL.com Staff Writer Derek Van Diest, Nathan MacKinnon said the following about Necas:
“He’s a great guy, an awesome guy. I heard nothing but great things when he got traded here. I heard how high his ceiling could be, and we’ve seen it here with how talented he is and how good of a player he is. Him and [Drury] are great fits.”
MacKinnon continued, “I think we have a similar style of game. We both like to carry it off the rush, we’re both righties. I think we think both similar, so we can imagine where each other would be on the ice, so it’s a lot of fun. He’s a dynamic player, he’s amazing, and it’s been good so far.”
Coming from the adroit MacKinnon, that speaks volumes of the 26-year-old forward who hails from Czechia (formerly the Czech Republic).
Mar 6, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) celebrates his goal with left wing Artturi Lehkonen (62) and center Martin Necas (88) in the third period against the San Jose Sharks at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
From the Beginning
Necas was first introduced to pee-wee hockey when he was 3-years-old. Supported by his mother and father, Martin Senior, who played hockey in Czechia, and currently a coach of the third-tier Czechian ice hockey club SKLH Žďár nad Sázavou. The senior Necas helped give rise to his son’s love for the game. He also had much to do with launching his promising trajectory as a youth, international and ultimately, professional player.
In 2012, the young lad took part in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. Two years later, his exceptional play propelled him to the top of the Czech under-16 league in scoring.
In due time, he became a fan of Czech ice hockey legend, Jaromir Jagr. Fast forward to Necas burgeoning professional career, his successive accomplishments earned him complementary comparisons to the right winger, Jagr. The two trained during the summer of 2024. Necas, the fan, became a Jagr Uber-fan.
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Amateur to Professional
After the Carolina Hurricanes drafted him 12th in the 2017 NHL Draft, the team’s media communication department summed up his amateur career-to-date via a press release:
“Necas, 18, spent the 2016-17 season with HC Kometa Brno of the Czech Extraliga, the Czech Republic’s top professional league. He notched seven goals and earned eight assists (15 points) in 41 regular-season games, and ranked third on the team with three power-play goals. The Nove Mesto na Morave, Czech Republic, native scored four goals in 10 playoff games as Brno won the league championship. In international play, Necas (6’1”, 178 lbs.) represented the Czech Republic at the 2017 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior Championship, notching three points (1g, 2a) in five games. He captained his home country’s team to its first gold medal at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup in August 2016, scoring two goals and earning four assists in four tournament games. He also earned three assists in the 2017 IIHF World Under-18 Championship.”
The Hurricanes PR staff shared these personal tidbits when they formally introduced him to the Carolina fanbase.
“Martin’s is favorite television show is Money Heist and favorite musician is Post Malone… Martin’s favorite movie is Salt and his favorite actress is Angelina Jolie… His favorite thing to do away from the rink is play tennis, and his favorite athlete is Rafael Nadal… His favorite food is sushi… His favorite sports team is Liverpool… Martin’s favorite road city is Tampa, his favorite road arena is Scotiabank Arena in Toronto and his favorite team to play against is the Maple Leafs.”
His stellar play earned him 55 total points (16 goals, 39 assists) in just 49 games with the Canes, and was well on the way to exceeding his 2022–23 season successes of 71 points (28 goals, 43 assists) in 82 games.
Necas Heads to the Rockies
Then came last season with even more milestones. Necas posted a career-best 83 points in 79 games. Necas finished the season with 28 points (11g/17) in the final 30 regular season games.
According to the Avalanche media relations team, he became only the second player in team history to post at least 11 goals and 17 assists in their first 30 games with the franchise. He joined 1992 star Mike Ricci in the team’s record books.
In his seven playoff games last season, Necas registered five points before the team faded in the playoffs.
This season, albeit not even 30-days old, he played in five games, scored three times and assisted six times.
“I think we have a similar style of game,” said MacKinnon. “We both like to carry it off the rush, we’re both righties. I think we think both similar, so we can imagine where each other would be on the ice, so it’s a lot of fun. He’s a dynamic player, he’s amazing, and it’s been good so far.”
The Here and Now
Given his immense talent, Necas and his agent want to capitalize on his promise and earn a high-paying contract, whether with Colorado or not. Or from a lucrative deal offered by an aggressive suitor who can afford it. Who would not?
Earlier this week, Necas spoke with the Denver Post reporter, Corey Masisak. He shared this insight:
“My agent is talking with them. We’ll see what comes up,” Necas told The Denver Post. “I just focus on myself. It’s been great. Training camp has been great. Just going to keep rolling, and these things will get figured out.”
While that is spot-on, fresh reports are being posted daily about his thinking, from pursuing free agency to staying put and being MacKinnon’s right-hand man. This could all be negotiating posturing by his agent or simply fact.
Following the Avs – Sabres match, MacKinnon said:
“It was great. We built off last game, Martin Necas created so much time and space for me on his delays. I’m trying to let him do a lot off of the rush because he’s so good. It is really fun to play with him.”
CENTENNIAL, COLORADO- MAY 6: Colorado Avalanche President of Hockey Operations Joe Sakic, left, and General Manager Chris MacFarland speak with media at the Family Sports Center banquet room in Centennial, Colorado on May 6, 2025. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
Now the question is, can the said fun continue? Can the Avalanche front office secure his services with a long-term contract? Or will the second coming of Jaromir Jagr pack up his suitcases and move on and leave the team empty-handed?
To be continued…
