Martin Necas is finally feeling the speed—and it shows. The Colorado Avalanche forward, acquired in a blockbuster January 2025 trade that sent fan favorite Mikko Rantanen to Carolina (and eventually Dallas), has turned his first full season with the team into a career-defining breakout. Not only did Necas notch his first 100-point regular season (38 goals, 62 assists in 78 games), but he's also becoming a locker-room legend for his playful pranks.

Take the time captain Gabriel Landeskog arrived at his stall to find his shoe restrung in reverse. No detective work needed—Landeskog knew instantly: "Martin Necas." It’s a sign that the Czech-born forward is not just fitting in on the ice but in the room, too.

On the ice, Necas has been a perfect complement to star center Nathan MacKinnon. Known for his own speed, Necas spent the offseason working on explosiveness to keep pace with MacKinnon's relentless tempo. The result? A dynamic offensive game that head coach Jared Bednar helped refine with a simple but powerful piece of advice: get to the middle of the ice. Of Necas' 206 shots this season, 54 came from the high-danger zone in front of the net—a direct result of that coaching.

"That really helped me," Necas said. "Not just to play on the outside, but be more on the inside."

But it's not just about scoring. Bednar has emphasized defense for Necas, MacKinnon, and linemate Artturi Lehkonen, who often face opponents' top lines. "He's put in a lot of hard work to be a trusted player defensively," Bednar said. "He buys into that. His game has grown."

Necas' milestone season also puts him in elite company: he became only the third Czech player in NHL history to reach 100 points, joining legends Jaromir Jagr (five times) and David Pastrnak (four). His consistency was remarkable, with 16 goals in 26 games after returning from the Olympics.

Now, as the Avalanche lead the Minnesota Wild 2-0 in their second-round playoff series, Necas is proving he's more than just a fast skater—he's a complete player. "He's been huge for us all year," Landeskog said. "Super consistent. Dynamic. Dangerous."

For Necas, wearing No. 88 for the Avalanche is about more than just a number—it's about finding his stride, his place, and his prankster spirit in the Mile High City.