The New York Rangers entered this season looking to head towards the positive direction with head coach Mike Sullivan leading the way. So far this season, the results aren't too promising, as they are near the bottom of the Metropolitan Division standings through their first 11 games. The team is unable to score goals and their defense is struggling to stop opposing offenses.
The hope for Rangers fans before this season was that the team could sign one of the top free agents next summer. The free agency class was stacked, and the Rangers could get a difference maker. One by one, the likes of Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Kirill Kaprizov, and Kyle Connor all signed contract extensions with their current teams. Even though the big names were gone, there were some promising young players the Rangers could target.
We can officially take one off the board.
The Colorado Avalanche announced that they signed forward Martin Necas to an eight-year contract extension. Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported that Necas is earning $11.5 million per year, with $60 million in signing bonuses and a full no-move clause in the first seven years of the contract.
The Colorado Avalanche and Martin Necas completed an 8-year, $11.5M contract extension. Another UFA off the board…front-loaded, $60M in signing bonuses, full NMC the first 7 years of the new deal.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 30, 2025
Rangers watch potential free agent target Martin Necas sign eight-year contract extension with Avalanche
Necas was one of the top remaining players left in unrestricted free agency after McDavid, Kaprizov, Eichel, and Connor all signed contract extensions before the start of this season. He was a feasible option for the Rangers, but he is now off the board.
Necas spent the majority of his career with the Carolina Hurricanes before getting traded by the Avalanche in the Mikko Rantanen deal. Last season was a strong one for Necas, as he put up career highs in assists (56) and points (83). The Rangers know him well, as Necas notched 10 points (one goal, nine assists) in 18 career games against them.
Rangers' remaining free agency options next summer after Martin Necas contract extension
With Necas now off the board, who is left for the Rangers to target in free agency. So far, the last biggest names left are Adrian Kempe of the Los Angeles Kings and Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres.
Kempe is the best option, as he is a consistent 60+ point producer in recent years. In the previous three seasons, Kempe recorded 104 goals and 111 assists in 240 games played. This season, Kempe is on a heater, scoring five goals and notching nine assists in 11 games. The pressure is now on for the Kings to get a deal done. Friedman reports that Kempe wants to stay, but there is a gap in contract negotiations. The Rangers better hope that there is no progress made because Kempe might be their best option.
As for Tuch, he has really stepped up his game in recent years. Tuch recorded 36 goals twice in the past three seasons. In his five years with Buffalo so far, he has recorded 109 goals and 143 assists for 252 points. Tuch's agent recently revealed that the player and the Sabres put contract negotiations on the back burner.
Then there's Artemi Panarin, who is set to hit free agency. The Rangers reportedly tried to make him a team-friendly contract offer during the offseason, but those talks went nowhere. Panarin hasn't exactly been setting stat sheets on fire early on this season. With the team underperforming, Panarin has been the subject of trade rumors. It will be interesting to see what the Rangers do with Panarin.
Rangers fans expected the team to land one of the top stars available in free agency next summer. Now, the free agency pool has gotten incredibly shallow.