The Colorado Avalanche and Nathan MacKinnon are “pretty close” to an extension, according to the superstar forward who spoke with reporters including John Matisz of theScore at today’s NHL Player Media Tour. MacKinnon explained that the deal will be fair but “not going to be a single digit.”
One can only assume he means the average annual value will be at least $10MM, though even that would be a discount for the Stanley Cup champion.
MacKinnon, who just turned 27 two weeks ago, is headed into the final season of a seven-year, $44.1MM contract signed in 2016 that has become one of the league’s biggest bargains. For $6.3MM against the cap, the Avalanche have received a three-time Hart Trophy finalist, Lady Byng winner, and one of the most dominant two-way centers in the league.
Since the start of the 2017-18 season, only Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have outscored MacKinnon’s 442 points, and both of them have played more games than the Colorado phenom. His 167 goals during that stretch put him seventh in the league, while his +88 rating (seventh-highest over that span) gives a glimpse of just how dominant the Avalanche have been whenever he is on the ice.
There’s a real chance that MacKinnon – if he chooses to – could become the highest-paid player in the league on his next contract. That title currently goes to McDavid and his $12.5MM cap hit. At the very least, one would expect MacKinnon to join the select group of players that earns at least $11MM per season, which includes McDavid, Artemi Panarin, Auston Matthews, Erik Karlsson, John Tavares, and Drew Doughty for 2022-23 season.
Amazingly, the Avalanche do currently project to have the room to keep him, even at a price that high. The team has set up many of their contracts to expire at the end of this season, with Erik Johnson, J.T. Compher, Evan Rodrigues, Andrew Cogliano, and Darren Helm all coming off the books (if they choose to let them go). While there are other players – like star defenseman Devon Toews – to re-sign in the coming years, MacKinnon’s contract will certainly take precedence.
In fact, it has been somewhat surprising that an extension hasn’t been announced already, given he has been eligible for more than two months. Perhaps the team was allowing him and the rest of the Avalanche time to enjoy their celebratory offseason after finally breaking through and winning the Stanley Cup.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
If he ever hits the open market, have to think the Bruins do whatever they can to get this guy.
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Some x-factors to consider:
– left-shot F prospects to deal from (Merkulov, Harrison)
– Grzelyck could be moved with Lohrei/Zboril stepping up to free cap
– DeBrusk, Foligno contracts off the books
– Coyle may be moved to slide Zacha to C, potentially save cap and free up spot for younger guy like Lauko, McLaughlin, Merkulov
– would love Reilly, Smith moved this year for draft assets next year which appears to be a deep draft
– if Bergy and Krejci want to give it another go at year-end then by all means but I wouldn’t count on that at all
– Do or die year for Studnicka to be middle 6
Let me guess, you are a Bruins fan?
The whole idea is he isn’t going to hit the open market so you could’ve save your essay.
So, we know it will be for more than $9.
I think he meant it won’t be 7 digits. Or he should fire his agent.
Must be nice to subconsciously count digits by the million lol.
11×8 would be consistent with his previous statements about taking another team friendly deal, considering he could leverage himself into 13MM.
Maybe even 12 since the cap is projected to start rising again
Hes going to get 10.5, that still is a 2-3 discount but puts him on par with elite scores like paddy kane. In other new blue jays should sign manoah to an extension. Something like 120/8. 2, 3, 8, 12, 20, 20, 25 and 25 with 5 mil buy out of 2 25 options. So 45 for his pre arb and arb years and 75 counting the but out of his 3 Fa years