It took one game for Nathan MacKinnon to spot a key difference with his new linemate, Martin Necas. MacKinnon sent a pass to Necas on the far side of the ice against the Boston Bruins the day after the Colorado Avalanche’s blockbuster trade sent Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes for Necas,

For one, you have the money part of it all. Collectively, Necas and Drury are making $8.225 million against the salary cap this season, which is less collectively than Rantanen’s $9.25 million cap hit on his own. With his deal expiring in the offseason and the other two being under contract for 2025-26, there’s a “run it back” aspect in play.

Nathan MacKinnon had three assists, while his new linemate Martin Necas had two goals and an assist to help the Avalanche shrug off a slow start before rolling past the Flames, 4-2, at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Martin Necas had two goals and an assist to help the Colorado Avalanche to a 4-2 win against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome on Thursday. The forward has eight points (three goals, five assists) in seven games since being acquired by Colorado with forward Jack Drury in a three-team trade involving the Carolina Hurricanes and Chicago Blackhawks that sent forwards Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall to the Hurricanes.