Nathan MacKinnon, Avs 'pretty close' to extension

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon is due for a hefty raise. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Nathan MacKinnon 'pretty close' to contract extension with Avalanche

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated Sep 15, 2022 7:44 PM ET

Entering the final year of a seven-year, $44.1 million contract, Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon is due for a hefty raise.

According to the man himself, that raise may be coming sooner rather than later.

On Thursday, at the NHL's player media tour, MacKinnon told Michael Russo of The Athletic that a contract extension with the Avalanche is "pretty close."

#avs star Nathan MacKinnon says his contract extension talks are close and will be done soon and won’t be single digits. He hopes it to be done by opening night or he'd prefer not to talk during season. Joked he doesn’t like the label of being most underpaid player in NHL.
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) September 15, 2022

The 27-year-old said he'd most likely break off contract talks if the two sides haven't agreed to a deal by the start of the season.

"I think the deal I sign will be fair and it's not gonna be single digit or anything, but it'll be good I think for both sides," MacKinnon said. "Denver's the only place I want to be, for sure."

Last season, MacKinnon finished with 88 points (32 goals, 56 assists) in 65 regular-season games. MacKinnon posted 24 points (13 goals, 11 assists) in the postseason, helping the Avalanche hoist the Stanley Cup after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games.

Colorado selected MacKinnon No. 1 overall in the 2013 NHL Draft. A five-time All-Star, Mackinnon has recorded 648 points (242 goals, 406 assists) in 638 career games for the Avalanche.

Mike Santa Barbara

Mike Santa Barbara is a Wilmington, Delaware native (Yes, it's a real place) with over a decade of sports writing experience. A diehard Philadelphia sports fan, he has two dogs named after Flyers and cried real tears when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. You can follow him on Twitter at @mike__sb

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