Opinion: MacKinnon Is The Engine That Drives that Avalanche

There is no doubt that when it comes to the Colorado Avalanche, Nathan MacKinnon is the engine that drives them year in and year out.

MacKinnon’s strong play this season has the Avalanche fourth in the Central Division, in the first wild card spot in the Western Conference, sixth overall in the Western Conference, and 11th in the NHL with a 28-19-1 record for 57 points. It would be scary to think where the team would be without him and everything he brings to the table.

For starters, last season’s Hart Memorial Trophy winner as the league’s most valuable player currently (As of Tuesday, January 21) leads both his team and the league with 74 points this season on 18 goals and 56 assists. Here is where MacKinnon ranks among league leaders in important offensive categories:

• 18 goals (38th in the league)
• 56 assists (First in the league)
• 74 points (First in the league)
• 21 power play points (Seventh in the league)
• 182 shots on goal (Second in the league)
• 23:10 minutes of ice time per game (35th in the league, but he leads all forwards)

Here is where MacKinnon ranks offensively on his team:

• 18 goals (Second)
• 56 assists (First)
• 74 points (First)
• Three game-winning goals (Second)
• Three power play goals (Third)
• 182 shots (First)

In looking at the above, it is easy to see why MacKinnon is currently the front-runner to win his second consecutive Hart Memorial Trophy and may be even the Art Ross Trophy as the league’s leader in points. He is an offensive beast for the Avalanche and when he is going, the rest of the team follows.

Speaking of the rest of the team following, MacKinnon makes the players around him better. When MacKinnon is on the ice, his team controls the puck, keeps it in the offensive zone, and creates a lot of scoring chances.

Teammate Mikko Rantanen has reaped the benefits of playing on the same line with MacKinnon. As of this writing (Tuesday, January 21), Rantanen is first on the team in goals (25), second on the team in assists (38), and third on the team in points (63).

Besides being an offensive machine for his hockey club, MacKinnon has also done a great job of sticking up for his teammates. In fact, he fought for the first time in three seasons when he dropped the gloves with Utah Hockey Club’s Barrett Hayton.

MacKinnon is not known for his fighting skills. With that said, he is not afraid to back down from anyone and will always answer the call when it comes to helping his team win hockey games by any means necessary.

Not only has MacKinnon been great for his team, but he has also been fantastic for both his team’s fans and hockey fans in general. Every time he touches the puck, fans turn their eyes towards him and they get out of their seats because of the magical things he can do with it.

It seems like every game, MacKinnon is undressing an opposing forward, defenseman, and goaltender to score a great goal. It also seems like he does these things with relative ease compared to every other player in the league.

It is clear that without MacKinnon, the Avalanche are a completely different hockey team. Goals go down, they are not as dynamic, and they certainly are not as formidable.

Luckily, MacKinnon is healthy, producing every night, and is showing the league why he is going to be one of its best players for a very long time.

ITR 31: Let Them Fight – Inside The Rink

Join Conrad and Chris to discuss WHL expansion, Thatcher Demko returning from IR, Gabe Viladri out week-to-week, Gabriel Landeskog a full practice participant, and the NHL referees stopping a goalie fight. Join in on all this and MUCH more!

1. ITR 31: Let Them Fight 01:03:52
2. ITR 30: Down The Stretch 59:42
3. ITR 29: Trade Deadline Review 01:02:40
4. ITR 28: Deadline Week 44:07
5. ITR 27: Trade Season Begins 01:07:33