Colorado's elite center had a career-high 111-point season last year but is on pace to surpass that this season — by a lot.
Colorado's elite center had a career-high 111-point season last year but is on pace to surpass that this season — by a lot.
Nathan MacKinnon is headed to All-Star Weekend one point behind the NHL points leader Nikita Kucherov with 84 and averaging 1.71 goals per game. He has two four-goal games and is on pace for more than 150 points this season.
The 28-year-old forward has scored at least a point in every home game — which set a new franchise record for longest home-point streaks, currently at 25. Beyond his scoring phenomenon, he exemplifies what an all-around elite player is.
MacKinnon's role as a leader on the team is demonstrated by what he does on and off the ice. He has said that his style of leadership is to lead by example and that is something he has progressively worked on over time.
"I don't think it develops without putting in an effort. It's something he's for certain worked on with guidance from everyone involved in the organization. It starts with him taking that on himself," head coach Jared Bednar said. "And then I also think just the maturity of his game, where he's at in his career, what he's been able to accomplish — part of it will happen organically as well."
The Nova Scotia native has elevated his game to another level which includes breaking or setting new records on a regular basis.
"He's always been the most dedicated guy off the ice since I've been here. It started last year, I'd say, he's carried it through the summer. What he's doing this year — he's really consistent with it and again I'm talking going from great to elite habits, or elite to super elite habits off the ice," Bednar said. "But he's found something with his desire to get better and, I don't know, just his drive and his education of his off-ice training, he's always looking for the edge and he's found what clearly is working for him."
MacKinnon's work ethic and dedication to his conditioning have rubbed off on his teammates, pushing them to elevate their routines and habits, according to Bednar.
"I'm not surprised the way he plays — he plays hard. You know off the ice he's really dialed in being an athlete, very hard work ethic, which is good.
"Off the ice things go up every year, I don't know if it's even possible but that's how it feels. And how dialed in he is with everything he does, it's good," Mikko Rantanen said about his linemate. "And on the ice he's playing hard, he's defending hard, and just fun to watch and that's important for us to defend well as well, not only score goals we want to take care of the own end too."
Jonathan Drouin said his former junior teammate has always pushed those around him to be their best since they were teenagers and that has only improved as he's matured in the NHL.
"I think he drives everybody up, he brings everyone to another level. And when you're a leader it's pushing his game to be his best, I think everyone wants to be at his best," Drouin said in September prior to the season's start.
Where MacKinnon is at in his career is quite stellar but he's always striving to do more to achieve the ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup — again.
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