gold star for USAHOF

6. Nathan MacKinnon

6. Nathan MacKinnon

One of the great young stars of the game, Nathan MacKinnon came into the National Hockey League as the first overall Draft Pick in 2013.  As a rookie, the Nova Scotian Center would win the Calder Trophy with 63 Points.  MacKinnon did not hit that mark over the next three years, but in 2017-18, he would have a 97 Point year with a league-leading 12 Game Winning Goals.  He would also be named a Second Team All-Star and was second in Hart Trophy voting.

In 2018-19, MacKinnon would exceed his career-high in Goals (41) and Points (99) and finished sixth in Hart Trophy voting.  MacKinnon built on that with his third consecutive 90-Point plus season, earning a second Second Team All-Star, and winning his First Lady Byng.  MacKinnon was also the runner-up for the Hart that year.  MacKinnon was third for the Hart, in the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season with his 65 Point year.

It can be argued that MacKinnon took a step back in 2021-22, with "only" 88 Points in 65 Games, but the Avs were loaded top to bottom, and the forward was part f one of the most complte squads in Hockey over the last 20 years.  Colorado won the Stanley Cup, giving MacKinnon some well-earned finger jewelry.  Last season, MacKinnon had another huge year, scoring a curent personal best of 111 Points, and a fifth-place finish for the Hart.

Still, not done, this is a player who make t to the top of this list.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Center
  • Acquired: Selected in the 1st Round, 1st Overall in the NHL Draft 6/30/13.
  • Games Played: 709
  • Notable Statistics: 284 Goals
    475 Assists
    759 Points
    306 PIM
    1.07 PPG 
    +112 Plus/Minus
    87.4 Point Shares

    70 Playoff Games
    44 Goals
    56 Assists
    100 Points
    36 PIM
    1.43 PPG 
    +34 Plus/Minus
  • Major Accolades and Awards: Stanley Cup Champion (2022)

    Second Team All-Star (2018 & 2020)
    All-Star (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 & 2023)
    Calder Trophy (2014)
    Lady Byng Trophy (2020)
    First Team All-Rookie (2014)
    Most Game-Winning Goals (2017-18)
    Most Shots (2018-19 & 2019-20)

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