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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