In collaboration with Upper Deck, The Hockey News will be covering the best active homegrown player for each NHL team. For the Colorado Avalanche, it's Nathan MacKinnon.
In collaboration with Upper Deck, The Hockey News will be covering the best active homegrown player for each NHL team. For the Colorado Avalanche, it's Nathan MacKinnon.
The Colorado Avalanche have had plenty of success over the last several years, and a significant reason for it has been their drafting. They have selected some big-time stars over the years, like Cale Makar and Mikko Rantanen. However, as amazing as those two are, Nathan MacKinnon is The Hockey News' pick for the Avalanche's Best Active Homegrown Player: Brought to You By Upper Deck.
After winning the draft lottery for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, the Avalanche selected MacKinnon first overall. He immediately made an impact for the Avalanche in 2013-14, leading all rookies with 24 goals, 39 assists, and 63 points in 82 games. This was good enough for him to win the Calder Memorial Trophy and be named to the NHL All-Rookie Team.
From 2014-15 to 2016-17, MacKinnon was unable to replicate his rookie offensive production, posting 38 points, 52 points, and 53 points, respectively. However, in 2017-18, he took a massive step forward and developed into the superstar he is today. In his breakout season, he posted 39 goals and 97 points.
Since then, MacKinnon has had four seasons with over 90 points. In 2020-21 and 2021-22, the two seasons he didn't reach it, he dealt with injuries and would have easily passed the 90-point mark had he played a full 82-game schedule.
However, what's truly cementing MacKinnon as the best active homegrown player on the Avalanche is that he only continues to improve. After posting a spectacular 42 goals and 111 points in 71 games last season, the 6-foot center finished this season with 51 goals and a franchise-record 140 points in 82 games. Naturally, he is a finalist for both the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award.
At just 28 years old, MacKinnon has already put together a remarkable career. In 791 career regular-season games, he has 335 goals, 899 points, and a plus-147. He has also been magnificent in the playoffs, recording 48 goals and 114 points in 88 career postseason games.
MacKinnon also already has the Calder, Lady Memorial Trophy, and Stanley Cup on his resume, and there is still so much time for him to achieve more. Thus, he is certainly deserving of the best active homegrown player title for the Avs.
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