If you didn't already appreciate Nathan MacKinnon as a person and a player, this should do it. "We have guys that we wouldn't (otherwise) be able to bring in, "MacKinnon told Forbes' Jordan Horrobin on Wednesday. "On my next deal, I'll take less again. Because I want to win with this group."
Is there a more incredibly humble player than MacKinnon? This is a guy who has eclipsed the 90 point mark in each of his last two seasons (97 and 99 points, respectively).
Now, let's withhold the bulk of our praise until Mack's next contract is actually signed, but if he does indeed take a discount to keep the band together following the 2022-23 campaign, you would have a hard time arguing that MacKinnon is not one of the most selfless players in the game.
Had MacKinnon signed a 3-year bridge deal in 2016 as opposed to the 7-year $44.1M contract he inked, he would have easily been worth almost twice the $6.3M AAV he currently earns. That fact hasn't even crossed the mind of MacKinnon who still believes he and the Avs struck a great deal.
"I was just excited to get paid that much money at such a young age," MacKinnon said. "Obviously it's pretty (team) friendly now, but I was worth that at the time. … I have no regrets."
MacKinnon also understands that there is another side of the coin. When it comes to players who lean on past performance and future potential to bargain for a better deal, if they feel they're being undervalued.
"I think you want to get paid what you're worth," MacKinnon said. "I'd probably do the same thing. If a team isn't paying you what you think you're worth, holding out is something (players) are entitled to. … I think it's going to continue that way."
With the Colorado Avalanche currently in the enviable position of both being a contender AND having cap space to spare, you have to imagine that this may become the new team-building archetype adopted by clubs going forward if the Avs can perennially compete for multiple championships.
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