The Colorado Avalanche, Winnipeg Jets and Arizona Coyotes all won some important games thanks to some of the NHL's top performers in the past seven days.
Nathan MacKinnonWelcome back to the Three Stars of the Week, a regular THN.com file in which we pick three NHLers who had the biggest positive impact for their team in the past seven days. Let’s get right to it:
3. Karel Vejmelka, Arizona Coyotes
Vejmelka’s tandem mate in Arizona, Connor Ingram, was one of the stars of the week in early December. This week, it was Vejmelka’s time to shine: he posted a 3-0-0 record, a 0.73 goals-against average, a .973 save percentage and one shutout, keeping the Coyotes in the thick of the playoff race.
Vejmelka quietly has been solid for Arizona the past couple of seasons, as the 27-year-old Czech put up a .900 SP and 3.43 goals-against average for the Coyotes last season – not Vezina Trophy-caliber numbers but not poor on a subpar squad.
Vejmelka is earning $2.725 million this season and next season, making him a nice bargain asset. The rebuilding Coyotes may choose to convert him into younger players and/or draft picks by trading him, but if he does stay in Arizona, he’s earned himself a chance to at least play half of the team’s games.
On a more competitive team than the Coyotes, Vejmelka’s individual numbers could be significantly better. But for now, he and his employer are very satisfied with his performance this past week.
2. Gabriel Vilardi, Winnipeg Jets
Since coming over to the Jets in the blockbuster Pierre-Luc Dubois trade this past summer, Vilardi has delivered what Winnipeg wanted to see from him.
In four games this week, Vilardi posted five goals – all at even strength – and eight points, giving him seven goals and 15 points in 14 games this season. That puts him on pace to eclipse his career-high 23 goals and 41 points in 63 games with Los Angeles last season.
The 24-year-old is making $3.43 million this season, and he’s under contract through the 2024-25 season. Even then, he’ll be only an RFA, so he’s going to be a bargain for the foreseeable future. Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff would be wise to get Vilardi on a long-term contract, but he’s in line to make significantly more on an extension. Regardless, he’s currently Winnipeg’s first-line winger, and he’s still years away from being in his prime.
The Jets are mighty pleased with the Dubois trade, and that’s in no small part due to Vilardi’s performance.
1. Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche
MacKinnon has had a spectacular season thus far, and this week, the 28-year-old center was on another level, generating a league-best six goals and 12 points (including five power-play assists) in four games. That gives MacKinnon a whopping 35 assists and 53 points in 33 games this season, putting him on pace to top his 2022-23 totals – all career-bests – of 42 goals, 69 assists and 111 points in 71 games.
MacKinnon is earning $12.6 million while averaging 22:37 of ice time per game. He’s the straw that stirs the drink for the Avalanche, and he’s worth every penny Colorado is paying him. With one Stanley Cup under his belt, MacKinnon has asserted himself as one of the NHL’s five best players, and he’s showing no signs of tapering off on offense.
MacKinnon is a generational talent, and he makes the most of the opportunities opponents give him. A 120- or 130-point season is not at all out of the question for him, and so long as he stays healthy, he’s going to be in the hunt to win the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s top point-producer.
The Avs are a deep squad, but without MacKinnon, they’d be nowhere close to one of the league’s best teams. This week, MacKinnon flexed to show exactly how powerful he can be.
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