PuckSleuth
29Cap hit
$12.6M
12.1% of $104M cap
Term
5 yrs
Through 2030-31, then UFA
Clause
NMC
Surplus value
+$2.545M
vs. $15.145M market estimate
Confirmed by the public signing announcement · source
2026-27 regular season
GP
2
Goals
2
16.7% shooting
Assists
3
1 primary
Points
5
2.50 per game
TOI/GP
18:00
PP 4:34 · PK 0:06
Plus/minus
+1
Hits
2
Blocks 0
PIM
5
Game Score
+2.70
per game
Game log
Last 5 games · NHL API
| Game | G | A | SOG | HIT | BLK | TOI | PP | PK | FO | OZS% | GV | TK | +/- | GS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 3 vs STL · W 6-1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 18:16 | 4:59 | 0:05 | 11-11 | 100 | 0 | 0 | +3 | +2.50 |
| Sep 30 vs LAK · W 8-4 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 17:44 | 4:09 | 0:07 | 6-9 | 67 | 1 | 0 | -2 | +2.90 |
| May 26 @ VGK · L 2-1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 22:10 | 1:19 | 0:00 | 5-8 | 83 | 3 | 0 | +1 | +0.09 |
| May 24 @ VGK · L 5-3 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 18:02 | 7:05 | 0:01 | 6-4 | 100 | 2 | 1 | -1 | +1.15 |
| May 22 vs VGK · L 3-1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 22:30 | 3:43 | 0:07 | 6-7 | 60 | 3 | 0 | -1 | +0.33 |
GS = our Game Score (credit for everything he did; goals and assists count most). FO = faceoffs won-lost. OZS% = share of his 5v5 offensive and defensive zone faceoff starts that were in the offensive zone. GV/TK = giveaways/takeaways.
Advanced metrics
5v5 unless noted · 2025-26 · 1,303 min · percentile vs. NHL forwards
98th percentile
78th percentile
89th percentile
96th percentile
71st percentile
94th percentile
100th percentile
100th percentile
59th percentile
98th percentile
98th percentile
82nd percentile
97th percentile
95th percentile
681 won · 653 lost (all strengths)
xGF% is his team's share of 5v5 expected goals while he was on the ice, from our own expected goals model; HDCF% counts only high-danger chances (xG of 0.15 or more). IPP is the share of his team's 5v5 goals while he was on the ice that he scored or assisted on. Relative stats compare him with his team when he was off the ice. Goals above expected and ixG/60 use his own shots at all strengths. PDO and OZS% describe luck and deployment, so their bars are grey.
Play styleElite two-way playmaker
Trait percentiles vs. NHL centers · 2025-26
MacKinnon shoots constantly and creates chances at an elite level, dominating both the scoresheet and underlying metrics. His forechecking and defensive positioning lag behind, creating opportunities for opponents even when his offensive brilliance carries play.
- Shooting volume
- 100
- Playmaking
- 99
- Zone entries(est.)
- 41
- Forechecking
- 10
- Physicality
- 17
- Defensive impact
- 6
- Puck management
- 0
- Speed
- 100
Where he shoots from
Slot 35% · Mid-range 52% · Perimeter 14%(470 unblocked shots)
Strengths
- Shooting volume at 100th percentile, with 470 unblocked shots and elite shot placement
- Playmaking excellence at 99th percentile, generating chances through elite vision and positioning
- Speed at 100th percentile, enabling constant offensive pressure and creating scoring opportunities
Watch-outs
- Defensive impact at just 6th percentile, allowing dangerous chances against consistently
- Forechecking at 10th percentile, limiting his ability to regain pucks in opponent territory
- Puck management at 0th percentile, turning the puck over at higher rates than peers
Similar style: Connor McDavid (EDM), Jack Eichel (VGK)
Built from play-by-play, shift data, and NHL EDGE tracking. Zone entries is an estimate (rush chances while he is on the ice) until tracking data is added.
Career stats
From the NHL's player records
| Season | League | Team | GP | G | A | P | +/- | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009-10 | High-MN | Shattuck Bantam | 58 | 54 | 47 | 101 | — | 56 |
| 2010-11 | High-MN | Shattuck Midget | 40 | 45 | 48 | 93 | — | 72 |
| 2011-12 | QMJHL | Halifax | 58 | 31 | 47 | 78 | +11 | 45 |
| 2011-12 (playoffs) | QMJHL | Halifax | 17 | 13 | 15 | 28 | +12 | 12 |
| 2012-13 | QMJHL | Halifax | 44 | 32 | 43 | 75 | +40 | 45 |
| 2012-13 (playoffs) | QMJHL | Halifax | 17 | 11 | 22 | 33 | +17 | 12 |
| 2012-13 (playoffs) | M-Cup | Halifax | 4 | 7 | 6 | 13 | +8 | 0 |
| 2013-14 | NHL | Colorado Avalanche | 82 | 24 | 39 | 63 | +20 | 26 |
| 2013-14 | WC-A | Canada | 7 | 1 | 3 | 4 | +3 | 8 |
| 2013-14 (playoffs) | NHL | Colorado Avalanche | 7 | 2 | 8 | 10 | +2 | 4 |
| 2014-15 | NHL | Colorado Avalanche | 64 | 14 | 24 | 38 | -7 | 34 |
| 2014-15 | WC-A | Canada | 10 | 4 | 5 | 9 | +6 | 6 |
| 2015-16 | NHL | Colorado Avalanche | 72 | 21 | 31 | 52 | -4 | 20 |
| 2016-17 | NHL | Colorado Avalanche | 82 | 16 | 37 | 53 | -14 | 16 |
| 2016-17 | WCup | Team North America | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | +2 | 2 |
| 2016-17 | WC | Canada | 10 | 6 | 9 | 15 | +6 | 6 |
| 2017-18 | NHL | Colorado Avalanche | 74 | 39 | 58 | 97 | +11 | 55 |
| 2017-18 (playoffs) | NHL | Colorado Avalanche | 6 | 3 | 3 | 6 | -2 | 4 |
| 2018-19 | NHL | Colorado Avalanche | 82 | 41 | 58 | 99 | +20 | 34 |
| 2018-19 (playoffs) | NHL | Colorado Avalanche | 12 | 6 | 7 | 13 | -4 | 2 |
| 2019-20 | NHL | Colorado Avalanche | 69 | 35 | 58 | 93 | +13 | 12 |
| 2019-20 (playoffs) | NHL | Colorado Avalanche | 15 | 9 | 16 | 25 | +13 | 12 |
| 2020-21 | NHL | Colorado Avalanche | 48 | 20 | 45 | 65 | +22 | 37 |
| 2020-21 (playoffs) | NHL | Colorado Avalanche | 10 | 8 | 7 | 15 | +6 | 2 |
| 2021-22 | NHL | Colorado Avalanche | 65 | 32 | 56 | 88 | +22 | 42 |
| 2021-22 (playoffs) | NHL | Colorado Avalanche | 20 | 13 | 11 | 24 | +11 | 8 |
| 2022-23 | NHL | Colorado Avalanche | 71 | 42 | 69 | 111 | +29 | 30 |
| 2022-23 (playoffs) | NHL | Colorado Avalanche | 7 | 3 | 4 | 7 | +8 | 4 |
| 2023-24 | NHL | Colorado Avalanche | 82 | 51 | 89 | 140 | +35 | 42 |
| 2023-24 (playoffs) | NHL | Colorado Avalanche | 11 | 4 | 10 | 14 | -1 | 4 |
| 2024-25 | NHL | Colorado Avalanche | 79 | 32 | 84 | 116 | +25 | 41 |
| 2024-25 | WC | Canada | 8 | 7 | 6 | 13 | +9 | 10 |
| 2024-25 | 4 Nations | Canada | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | +4 | 0 |
| 2024-25 (playoffs) | NHL | Colorado Avalanche | 7 | 7 | 4 | 11 | +5 | 2 |
| 2025-26 | NHL | Colorado Avalanche | 80 | 53 | 74 | 127 | +57 | 39 |
| 2025-26 | OG | Canada | 6 | 4 | 3 | 7 | -2 | 2 |
| 2025-26 (playoffs) | NHL | Colorado Avalanche | 13 | 7 | 8 | 15 | +5 | 6 |
| 2026-27 | NHL | Colorado Avalanche | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | +1 | 5 |
Every league he has played in, from the NHL's records, regular season and playoffs.
Latest news
Headlines from news outlets and team blogs
- Nathan MacKinnon or Connor McDavid? Avalanche coach Jared Bednar shuts down the debate
Markerzone.com · Oct 3
- Keeler: Nathan MacKinnon’s fight sent Avalanche’s NHL foes a message: Don’t mess with Cale Makar
The Denver Post · Oct 3
- MacKinnon has 2 goals and a rare fight in the Avs' 8-4 victory over the Kings in opener
The Edwardsville Intelligencer · Oct 2
- How awesome was it watching Nathan MacKinnon DROP THE GLOVES & work Brandt Clarke in the Avs opener?
Denver Sports 104.3 The Fan · Oct 1
- Nathan MacKinnon Shows Out Big for Avalanche in Season Opener
Sports Illustrated · Oct 1
Sentiment & chatter
Fans
—
Beat writers
—
Media
—
Fan, beat writer, and media scores, the 14-day trade chatter chart, and the latest mentions appear once sentiment scoring is switched on. Mentions are already being collected.
Recent Game Scores
Last 10 games · goals above average
Average +1.49 per game over these 10.
Where his Game Score comes from
+1.66 per game
2025-26 · 80 GP
Season total +132.5, or +1.66 per game.
- Scoring
- +100.0
- Shooting
- +26.3
- 5-on-5 goals
- +8.7
- Defense
- -0.2
- Penalty kill
- +0.1
- Physical play
- +3.0
- Puck battles
- -7.0
- Penalties
- +1.3
- Faceoffs
- +0.3
Game Score gives credit for everything a player does in a game. Goals (1.0) and assists (0.7 primary, 0.5 secondary) count most; shots, blocks, hits, takeaways, penalties drawn, faceoff wins, killing penalties, and holding down the other team's chances add to it. Only mistakes subtract: goals against at 5-on-5, giveaways, penalties taken, faceoff losses, and allowing more chances than an average player would. A player who is there to defend or kill penalties is not marked down for not scoring. Goalies are measured by goals saved above expected.
Skating · NHL EDGE
2026-27, as of Oct 2
- Top speed
- 22.7 mph
- 97th pct
- 20+ mph bursts
- 7
- Hardest shot
- 78.7 mph
- 75th pct
- Distance
- 3.0 mi
- OZ time
- 37.9%
- 20th pct
- DZ time
- 44.3%
Usage
Last game: vs STL, Oct 3
Line 1 with Artturi Lehkonen and Martin Necas (10:46 together at 5-on-5) · PP1
From the NHL's shift chart.
Age curve
At 31: 80% of peak
NHL forwards · production index
At 31, forwards typically produce 80% of their peak (age 24). His contract runs through age 35, when the typical level is 56%.
From 24 seasons of NHL results, adjusted for league scoring and save percentage in each era. Shaded bars are the seasons left on his contract.
Contract by season
5 seasons left
| Season | Team | Cap hit | % of cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | COL | $12.6M | 12.1% |
| 2027-28 | COL | $12.6M | 11.1% |
| 2028-29 | COL | $12.6M | — |
| 2029-30 | COL | $12.6M | — |
| 2030-31 | COL | $12.6M | — |
UFA after 2030-31. NMC. $63M in cap hits left. % of cap uses each season's ceiling where the league has set one ($104M this season, $113.5M in 2027-28).