NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Colorado Avalanche at Dallas Stars - Source: Imagn — colorado avalanche fans - Source: Imagn

5 Colorado Avalanche players and personnel detrimental to retool roster after disappointing playoff exit ft. Martin Necas

Modified Jun 09, 2025 17:27 GMT

The Colorado Avalanche suffered a crushing first-round defeat at the hands of the Dallas Stars, particularly former player Mikko Rantanen.

The defeat was especially magnified after the Avalanche went all-in at the trade deadline, looking to get back into the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since winning it all in 2022.

As the Avalanche head for a quick retool this summer, five team members stand as obstacles. So, let’s look at which players and personnel are detrimental to the Colorado Avalanche’s roster retool this offseason.

5 Colorado Avalanche players and personnel detrimental to retool roster after disappointing playoff exit

#5 Chris MacFarland

Colorado Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland has done a fantastic job of guiding the team amid turbulent periods. The most noteworthy example was the team’s troubled goaltending situation.

MacFarland successfully navigated a complete overhaul in the crease, bringing in MacKenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood to manage the crease.

However, MacFarland has painted himself into a corner by signing Brock Nelson to a new contract, essentially vaporizing the team’s precious cap space. MacFarland will need to show his creativity in dodging the tough cap situation. If he’s unable to do so, the Avalanche could be in salary cap hell this upcoming season.

#4 Joe Sakic

Joe Sakic's vision will need to shape the Avalanche's future - Source: Imagn

Joe Sakic had a successful nine-year run as the Colorado Avalanche’s GM, orchestrating some of the shrewdest moves in team history.

Since moving into the team’s President of Hockey Operations role, Sakic has been the mastermind behind the current version of the team. That version has been unable to replicate the success found in previous years.

That’s why Joe Sakic must ensure his vision trickles down the rest of the organization to successfully compete with other Western Conference powerhouses like the Edmonton Oilers, Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights.

If Sakic cannot translate his vision into a successful playoff run, he may be in the hot seat before long.

#3 Cale Makar

Cale Makar's next contract will play a huge role in roster decisions moving forward - Source: Imagn

Cale Makar is arguably the best defenseman in the NHL. He’s the presumptive Norris Trophy winner this season and should continue to be among the league’s best as he heads into his prime years.

While Makar is not a problem for the Colorado Avalanche, his contract is.

Makar is heading into the second-last year of his current deal. That situation means that he’ll be eligible to sign an extension next summer. It casts a long shadow over the team, as the club must ensure it has enough cap space to sign Makar.

As it stands, Makar has a $9 million cap hit, which could easily become $12 or $13 million in his next deal, if not more. That is why roster decisions this season will occur taking into account Makar’s next contract.

#2 Gabriel Landerskog

Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog has been an inspiration for the club. His hard work and perseverance earned him a Bill Masterton Trophy nomination.

The issue here is that the Avalanche shifted Landeskog’s contract to LTIR over the last three seasons, getting some artificial cap relief. But now that Landeskog is back, the Avs don’t have that LTIR money to fall back on.

While the Avalanche get a top-six winger in Landeskog, his $7 million AAV places greater pressure on the team’s cap situation.

#1 Martin Necas

The Avalanche must figure out what to do with Necas before addressing other club needs - Source: Imagn

Martin Necas is entering the final year of a two-year bridge deal he signed with the Carolina Hurricanes last season. The deal was intended solely to get Necas to unrestricted free agency and test the market.

As such, the uncertainty surrounding Necas’ contract situation might cause the Avalanche to trade him this summer, as noted in insider Nick Kypreos’ Off-Season Trade Board.

If the Avalanche do re-sign him at some point down the road, it will place greater pressure on the team’s salary cap situation. The Avalanche will need to know where they stand with Necas this summer, as Necas’ potential free agency will impact the team one way or another.

About the author

Nestor is an NHL and MLB writer at Sportskeeda with over 10 years of experience. Growing up in Toronto, he became an avid Maple Leafs and Blue Jays fan, but also admires the New York Islanders and Los Angeles Dodgers for their dominance in the 80s. Holding an Economics and Education major, Nestor’s passion for writing and sporting events led him to take up reporting about the sport professionally.

Nestor credits the Leafs’ playoff runs in the early '90s as having a lasting impact on him. His favorite players are Doug Gilmour and Mike Bossy, as he feels they were tough, talented leaders, while Pat Burns is his favorite coach of all time for always preaching a fast-paced game.

Growing up in Canada, it was natural for Nestor to become interested in ice hockey and he played Minor Hockey as a teenager, which has given him a unique perspective on the sport. Nestor has mastered the art of how to best present facts and he also has a knack for knowing which sources can be trusted, and which can't for stories.

When he is not writing about Canada’s national passion, Nestor enjoys running and hiking.

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