2022 keeps giving All-Star center Nathan MacKinnon reasons to celebrate. After he led the Colorado Avalanche to a Stanley Cup win earlier this year, MacKinnon has now received a new contract that makes him the highest-paid NHL player in the salary-cap era.
The Avalanche confirmed on Tuesday that MacKinnon inked an eight-year extension that will keep him with the franchise through 2030-31. While the team didn’t disclose the financial terms of the deal, multiple reports indicate that the 27-year-old is now the highest-paid player in the game.
According to ESPN, MacKinnon’s extension is worth $100.8 million and comes with a $12.6 million average annual salary. This tops the contract of Edmonton Oilers’ center Connor McDavid, who earns $12.5 on a yearly basis.
After the news became public, the Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland told the media that the team pushed hard to lock MacKinnon to a long-term deal before the start of the 2022-23 NHL season.
“He has that rare combination of speed and power with a high compete level that makes him a generational player,” MacFarland said. “We are thrilled he will continue to be a member of this team and this community for many years to come.”
Nathan MacKinnon was selected as the first overall pick by Avalanche in 2013. He established himself as a crucial player for the franchise in his rookie year by winning the Calder trophy and went to become the face of the franchise in the years that followed. MacKinnon made five All-Star appearances so far in his career and was named Hart Trophy finalists three times.
During his nine years as a pro, MacKinnon contributed 648 points in just 638 games. He finished the last season by scoring 32 goals and dishing 56 assists for a total of 88 points.
