Brian Fluharty, USA TODAY SportsThe Colorado Avalanche's trio of star who played for Team Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off final Thursday night -- center Nathan MacKinnon, and defensemen Cale Makar and Devon Toews -- all contributed in meaningful ways in the Canadian team's 3-2 overtime victory over the United States.
MacKinnon scored the first goal of the game -- his fourth of the 4 Nations tournament -- while Makar added an assist on Connor McDavid's game-winning marker. And Toews logged 27:27 of ice time -- the most of any player on either team.
This is the first best-on-best tournament win for all three of MacKinnon, Toews and Makar. But many believe this is just the beginning for them. Avalanche management has committed to the three veterans for at least the next two seasons, and that means there's going to be many more kicks at the can fmay well or them.
Makar may be the biggest bargain in the NHL, at only $9-million per-season for an additional two years. But as the league's salary cap ceiling spikes, the deals for MacKinnon ($12.6-million per season) and Toews ($7.25 million per season) will also look like shrewd arrangements.
Colorado's stars now must turn their attention to the one-third that's left in the regular-season, and if they're going to hang onto the first wild card spot in the Western Conference -- or push into the second or third spot in the Central Division, the Avs are going to need each of Makar, MacKinnon and Toews to stay healthy and at the top of their respective games.
Many NHL teams would feel fortunate to have just one of MacKinnon, Makar and Toews. However, Colorado fans can rest assured knowing they've got such great foundational talent in place for the foreseeable future. And with Toews, MacKinnon and Makar striking gold at the 4 Nations Face-Off, the Avalanche's championship pedigree is that much better.