Martin Necas’ breakout season puts Colorado at a cap crossroads. A path toward a $10M+ deal looms as MacKinnon’s $12.6M anchor and Makar’s looming extension tighten the books. The Avs may ride the season with Necas or move him before the deadline to avoid losing him for nothing while keeping room for the core.

Patrik Laine’s slipping role under Martin St. Louis and an $8.7M cap hit raise questions about his fit and future, potentially prompting a change of scenery if he doesn’t rebound. Evgeny Kuznetsov’s KHL detour, driven by family and questions about his game, adds another layer to the veteran market as rumors swirl around Pittsburgh’s interest that Kuznetsov disputes.

Rantanen’s $12M ceiling, Kaprizov’s extension trajectory, and the ongoing debate over how teams finance high-end talent frame the discussion for next summer’s contracts and possible trades.