It’s only been a couple of months since the Colorado Avalanche took home the Stanley Cup. However, the team is looking forward to next season and potentially being a contender for the Cup again. For the Avalance, Nathan MacKinnon was integral to what got them there. MacKinnon has one year left on his contract, so discussions between the Colorado front office and his camp have begun.
NHL Rumours: Colorado Avalanche Star Contract Talks Progress
Nathan MacKinnon, speaking at the NHL Player Media Tour, says his extension with the Avalanche is “pretty close” and he’s hoping it’ll get done “soon.” As for AAV, it will be “fair” but “not going to be a single digit.”
— John Matisz (@MatiszJohn) September 15, 2022
MacKinnon’s Career
MacKinnon was drafted first in the 2013 draft by the Colorado Avalanche and has played with them since. The now 27-year-old is arguably one of the best players in the league. Last season he tallied 32 goals, 56 assists, and 88 points in 65 games played. He is a career point-per-game player with 242 goals, 406 assists, and 648 points in 638 games played. As well as the most sought-after trophy, the alternate captain has collected his fair share of accolades. MacKinnon has five All-Star game appearances. During his rookie year, he won the Calder Memorial Trophy. As well as winning the Lady Byng Trophy during the 2019-2020 season.
What MacKinnon is Going to Cost
MacKinnon has found himself lumped in with the most elite hockey players currently in the game. The Colorado Avalanche star’s new contract is expected to compare to Connor McDavid‘s which is an AAV of 12.5 million a year or Auston Matthew‘s, which is an AAV of 11.6 million a year. Not to mention, MacKinnon is easily Colorado’s most valuable player. Not only can he put pucks in the net, but he is also a stellar playmaker. His leadership roles on and off the ice speak for themselves. Colorado is essentially going to have to pay whatever MacKinnon is asking because is a pillar for the team. He has one more year on his current contract. In 2012, he signed a seven-year, 6.3 million dollar AAV deal. We can expect that number to double in the coming weeks once both parties agree on a contract.
“You have to ask Pat.”
Nathan MacKinnon is working on a big raise. Will he become the NHL’s highest-paid player? https://t.co/GAYLQ7wM6B (via @JeffMarek @FriedgeHNIC) pic.twitter.com/WeUDhRyGdD
— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) September 15, 2022
