He knows that it's possible to mend broken items, and is willing to spend time and money (or find a wizard to cast mending) to fix his net if possible. But if destroying Ned's beloved net means that it's no longer his pact weapon, all that effort is for nothing - besides, repair...
Once paid, and it’s going quickly, he can make it up to the world by doing good and maybe mending a few of the bridges he had to burn to get free and clear. So, as a player I know my debt and my DM and I have worked out a menu. 1 favor paid for each heart broken ...