The Anaheim Ducks could be a potential destination for one of the biggest impending free agents in the 2026 NHL offseason.
Yes, you read that right. The Ducks could be in the mix for Colorado Avalanche winger Martin Necas.
According to James Murphy of RG Media, the Ducks could be surprising suitors for the 28-year-old top-line winger. In an October 9 piece, Murphy cited an anonymous source who claimed that the Avalanche are unlikely to keep Necas due to their tight cap situation.
In that event, the Avalanche could be forced to trade Necas instead of losing him for nothing. Given the Ducks’ prospects, draft picks, and rise, they could be an ideal partner for the Avalanche winger.
Additionally, the Ducks could offer Necas the sort of extension he’s looking for. The situation prompted Murphy’s source to declare:
“Another team that could be in the Wild Card mix is the Anaheim Ducks. They’ve got a ton of cap space ($12.9 million) now, but the problem is [Cutter] Gauthier and [Leo] Carlsson are up after this season too. Still, they have so many prospects they could offer.”
Amid the rising cap, and even with the need for new deals for Carlsson and Gauthier, the Ducks could make some cap voodoo work to extend Necas. This deal is the type a team like the Ducks must explore if they are to take the next step as a contending club.
Looking at the cost for Ducks to extend Necas
The ballpark for Martin Necas’ next contract was set this week. The Winnipeg Jets signed Kyle Connor for eight years at $12 million AAV. The Vegas Golden Knights signed their top center, Jack Eichel, to an eight-year deal with a $13.5 million AAV.
That situation means that Necas would likely be somewhere between $12 million and $13.5 million. Eichel’s number would be the high end simply because he’s a center. Connor is a winger, so it makes more sense to bring Necas’ number around $12 million.
That’s a totally doable cap hit for the Ducks, even when considering the new contracts for Gauthier and Carlsson. The Ducks have several contracts coming off the books this summer. For instance, Jacob Trouba’s big cap hit will be gone. The Ducks could still keep him, but at a much more team-friendly number.
Similarly, Peter Mrazek will come off the books. That’s over $12 million combined there. Assuming both players at lower cap hits, the Ducks could easily scrape up another $5 million or $6 million in addition to the current $12 million and the rising cap next season.
If there’s a team poised to make a run at a big-ticket player, it’s the Ducks. You’d have to think that even other impending UFAs like Artemi Panarin and Adrian Kempe could be in play if they don’t re-sign with their current teams.
So, it could be an exciting season to come for the Anaheim Ducks as they look to return to the playoff hunt.