Nathan MacKinnon
FILE - Russian athlete Kirill Kaprizov (77) tries to keep Frank Hordler (48), of Germany, away from the puck during the second period of the men's gold medal hockey game at the 2018 Winter Olympics, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018, in Gangneung, South Korea. The 2018 Olympics without NHL talent offered a glimpse of things to come for players who hadn't yet reached the best hockey league in the world. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
Olympics in 2018 showed glimpses of future NHL stars

By Stephen Whyno Feb. 16, 2023 06:00 AM EST

Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (97) celebrates a goal against the Vancouver Canucks during first-period preseason NHL hockey game action in Edmonton, Alberta, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
NHL Preview: What to know about the 2021-22 season

By Larry Lage, John Wawrow And Stepen Whyno Oct. 11, 2021 02:23 AM EDT

Vegas Golden Knights center Nicolas Roy (10) breaks a stick on Colorado Avalanche center Tyson Jost (17) during the third period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Thursday, June 10, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Colorado Avalanche at Vegas Golden Knights 6/10/2021

Jun. 11, 2021 04:12 PM EDT

Vegas Golden Knights left wing Max Pacioretty (67) and Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore (27) knock Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) to the ice during the third period in Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Friday, June 4, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Colorado Avalanche at Vegas Golden Knights 6/4/2021

Jun. 11, 2021 04:12 PM EDT

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Nick Holden, goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, defenseman Zach Whitecloud and right wing Reilly Smith celebrate with teammates after the Golden Knights scored in overtime of Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, as Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, back, reacts Tuesday, June 8, 2021, in Denver. The Golden Knights won 3-2. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Vegas Golden Knights at Colorado Avalanche 6/8/2021

Jun. 11, 2021 04:12 PM EDT

Vegas Golden Knights center Nicolas Roy (10) breaks a stick on Colorado Avalanche center Tyson Jost (17) during the third period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Thursday, June 10, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
MacKinnon, Avs left frustrated by another early playoff exit

By Pat Graham Jun. 11, 2021 04:11 PM EDT

St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington, right, makes a save on a shot by Colorado Avalanche's Conor Timmins (22) as Blues' Niko Mikkola (77) defends during the second period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Sunday, May 23, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Blues bound for change after 'embarrassing' 1st-round sweep

By Stephen Whyno May. 24, 2021 04:18 PM EDT

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer jokes with teammates during a timeout in the first period of Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
St. Louis Blues at Colorado Avalanche 5/19/2021

May. 20, 2021 01:48 AM EDT

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon is congratulated as he passes the team box after scoring his second goal of night, during the third period of Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, in Denver. Colorado won 6-3. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
MacKinnon records hat trick, Avs beat Blues 6-3 in Game 2

By Pat Graham May. 20, 2021 01:47 AM EDT

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer heads back to the net during a timeout in the first period of Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the St. Louis Blues, Monday, May 17, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
MacKinnon, Grubauer lift Avs to 4-1 win over Blues in Game 1

By Pat Graham May. 18, 2021 01:12 AM EDT

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer adjusts his mask as he heads back to the net during a timeout against the San Jose Sharks in the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, April 30, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Grubauer helps Avs break 3-game slide in 3-0 win over Sharks

By Pat Graham Apr. 30, 2021 11:45 PM EDT

Colorado Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon (29) defends against St. Louis Blues' David Perron (57) during the second period of an NHL hockey game on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
Avalanche use 3 goals in second period to beat Blues 4-3

By Joe Harris Apr. 14, 2021 11:25 PM EDT

Colorado Avalanche left wing Valeri Nichushkin, right, shoots the puck for a goal while Anaheim Ducks left wing Max Comtois (53) defends during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, April 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Jonas Johansson gets 1st shutout, Avalanche edge Ducks 2-0

Apr. 10, 2021 01:17 AM EDT

Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar, center, drives past Colorado Avalanche defenseman Greg Pateryn to put a shot on goaltender Philipp Grubauer in the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, March 14, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Philipp Grubauer has 27 saves, Avalanche beat Kings 4-1

By Michael Kelly Mar. 14, 2021 08:57 PM EDT

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Alex Tuch (89) races for the puck against the Colorado Avalanche during the first period of of Outdoor Lake Tahoe NHL hockey game at Stateline, Nev., Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli))
Avs beat Golden Knights 3-2 in delayed Lake Tahoe game

By Josh Dubow Feb. 21, 2021 01:58 AM EST

FILE - Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon waits for a face off against the New York Islanders in the second period of an NHL hockey game in Denver, in this Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020, file photo. MacKinnon views pressure almost like shots on goal — the more, the better. That's why the Colorado Avalanche forward fully embraces his team being mentioned among the Stanley Cup favorites. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
Avs, Knights, Blues make realigned West tall at the top

By Dave Campbell Jan. 08, 2021 03:32 PM EST

FILE - In this Feb. 17, 2020, file photo, Arizona Coyotes left wing Taylor Hall (91) is shown during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders, in Glendale, Ariz. Forward Taylor Hall surprised many in turning down numerous contending NHL teams which courted him, and instead sign with the Buffalo Sabres in free agency. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Taylor Hall saw only positives in signing with Sabres

By John Wawrow Oct. 12, 2020 05:57 PM EDT

FILE - In this Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020, file photo, Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon skates during the first period of the team's NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, in Buffalo, N.Y. NHL leading scorer Leon Draisaitl of the Oilers, Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon and Rangers winger Artemi Panarin are the finalists for the Ted Lindsay Award. The trophy goes to the league's most outstanding player as voted by fellow players. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes, File)
Draisaitl, MacKinnon, Panarin are Lindsay Award finalists

Jul. 14, 2020 11:52 AM EDT

Media get their temperature checked before covering the Edmonton Oilers NHL hockey training camp in Edmonton, Alberta, Monday, July 13, 2020. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
Pucks and masks prevalent as 24 NHL teams open training camp

By John Wawrow And Teresa M. Walker Jul. 13, 2020 11:49 AM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 14, 2020, file photo, New York Rangers' Artemi Panarin, of Russia, plays against the Columbus Blue Jackets during an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio. The Edmonton Oilers’ sudden resurgence placed Connor McDavid back in the NHL MVP conversation, along with teammate Leon Draisaitl. Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon and Boston’s David Pastrnak made their case, too, during a pandemic-shortened season. And don’t forget New York Rangers' Artemi Panarin, a late entry in the discussion. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, FIle)
Oilers have Hart? McDavid, Draisaitl are NHL MVP candidates

By John Wawrow Jun. 18, 2020 02:07 PM EDT