When you think of the best players in the league you think of Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, and also Nathan MacKinnon. Nathan MacKinnon has signed a contract extension to remain with the Colorado Avalanche. MacKinnon signed an eight-year deal for $12.6 million per season, according to The Athletic’s Peter Baugh. The Nate Dog stays put and the Colorado Avalanche has their star centre locked up for the long haul.
EIGHT MORE FOR NATE THE GREAT!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/BzQmrdIk6w
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) September 20, 2022
Nathan MacKinnon Stays Put With Avalanche
Nathan MacKinnon has signed an extension with the Colorado Avalanche. Joe Sakic keeps his best centre in town for the foreseeable future. After failing to get over the second-round hump for three years in a row, MacKinnon willed his way towards winning the Stanley Cup. The Avalanche look to continue their dominance after capturing the Stanley Cup, and this was the right move to maintain that.
MacKinnon’s Journey
The Avalanche struck gold in the 2013 draft when they were able to select him first overall. Ever since he has been the centrepiece of the core group. Mackinnon would capture the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie in 2013-14. You were getting a glimpse of the player he could be. From 2016-17, he led the team in points for four seasons, while finishing second the last two.
The core group of the Avalanche has gone through ups and downs. Upon his arrival, Colorado made the playoff six times. While willing his way to win the Stanley Cup, Mackinnon won the Lady Byng Trophy in 2019-20.
The State Of The Team
This is only the beginning for the Avalanche. After winning the Stanley Cup in 2022, this team has no plans on slowing down. Not only is Mackinnon locked up, but so is the rest of the core for the foreseeable future. According to Cap Friendly, you have captain Gabriel Landeskog (7 years), Mikko Rantanen (3 years), Cale Makar (5 years), and Valeri Nichushkin (8 years). In addition, you have Samuel Girard (5 years), and Devon Toews (2 years) locked up long-term. Mackinnon was part of the puzzle, but this puzzle is complete.
This team will be a problem for a long time for opposing teams and this core is a dangerous group. Colorado has no plans of slowing down and has every intention of competing for and winning another Stanley Cup.
Why Nathan Mackinnon Is Worth It
Nathan Mackinnon deserved his contract extension. The star centre has spent his entire career with the Avalanche and will continue further. Over the last five seasons, he has the third highest point total with 442. He sits behind the dynamic duo of the Edmonton Oilers with McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
One word to describe Mackinnon is consistent. Dating back to 2017-18, he has finished as a point-per-game player in the past five seasons. In those five seasons, he has hit the 90-point mark three times. This past season he scored 32 goals, 56 assists, and 88 points in 65 games.
Over his entire career, he has 242 goals, 406 assists, and 648 points in 638 games. He is an elite centre that is only beginning, it seems. It is a great deal for both Mackinnon and the Avalanche, as they look to stay atop the hockey mountain.
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