Nathan MacKinnon is due to be an unrestricted free agent next summer and NHL trade rumors are churning that MacKinnon is seeking to be the NHL’s highest paid player.
MacKinnon’s current Avalanche salary cap hit is $6.3 million and he has been on a steal of a contract since he signed it in 2016-17 and now he wants to be paid.
Back in 2016, the contract was almost an overpayment as MacKinnon had underperformed as a #1 overall draft pick. Since the 2017-18 season, MacKinnon has been playing at an elite level and wants to be paid what he thinks he is worth.
Adrian Dater of Colorado Hockey Now reports MacKinnon and his agent have let Avalanche management know he wants to be the highest paid player in the NHL.
There are no reports on what he is asking, but if Connor McDavid is making $12.5 million/year, you have to think MacKinnon has told Colorado he wants $13 million/year on a long-term deal.
Check out who is the highest paid NHL player for the 2022-23 season.
Nathan Mackinnon career stats
| SEASON | TEAM | LEAGUE | GP | G | A | P | +/- | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-14 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 82 | 24 | 39 | 63 | 20 | 26 |
| 2014-15 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 64 | 14 | 24 | 38 | -7 | 34 |
| 2015-16 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 72 | 21 | 31 | 52 | -4 | 20 |
| 2016-17 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 82 | 16 | 37 | 53 | -14 | 16 |
| 2017-18 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 74 | 39 | 58 | 97 | 11 | 55 |
| 2018-19 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 82 | 41 | 58 | 99 | 20 | 34 |
| 2019-20 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 69 | 35 | 58 | 93 | 13 | 12 |
| 2020-21 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 48 | 20 | 45 | 65 | 22 | 37 |
| 2021-22 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 65 | 32 | 56 | 88 | 22 | 42 |
| NHL TOTAL | NHL | 638 | 242 | 406 | 648 | 83 | 276 |
