The Utah Mammoth grabbed the headlines yesterday with the new contract agreement with Logan Cooley for 10 years, worth $80 million. This will keep the 21-year-old in Utah as the top line center for almost a decade. The Colorado Avalanche took notes, and the Pacific Division rivals signed their own impending free agent, Martin Necas, to a 10-year deal, worth $92 million.
As reported by the Colorado Avalanche on X, Necas agreed to an 8-year contract with an AAV of $11.5 million for the 26-year-old.
MORE MARTY PARTIES IN COLORADO‼️ pic.twitter.com/MmnzVEAgp5
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) October 30, 2025
If the two signings were reversed in days, the Utah Mammoth fans would have more to worry about, as Cooley's group could have compared contracts. Both teams secured their key player and are set for quite some time at forward. Sure, the Avalanche have other players who need new contracts, and the Mammoth have Nick Schmaltz to work with this summer, but this helps both franchises in the near and long-term future.
Besides Necas being in the same division as the Avalanche, this signing does have another effect on Utah moving forward. Schmaltz, being an unrestricted free agent this summer, will look at every newly signed contract to draw comparisons when negotiating with Bill Armstrong. Necas and Schmaltz are different, but Schmaltz may want a similar term on the opening market.
An even bigger effect on the team is the outlook on free agency next summer, as arguably the top free agent is now off the board and it is only October. Utah will be looking to build this team even more next summer as the core is now locked in place. Necas could have been a target to replace Schmaltz if he left.
The jury is still out on Barrett Hayton and Schmaltz's contracts. The team could use the flexibility with either of them leaving and creating an opening for a free agent. For now, Necas will be crossed off Armstrong's summer grocery list.