At a spectacular setting befitting hockey's newest richest man, Nathan MacKinnon signed an 8-year, $100.8 million contract extension Tuesday afternoon. The signing ceremony took place on a table overlooking the 18th green at The Ridge Golf Course in Castle Pines where the Avs had just finished playing in their annual charity golf tournament.
"I had a sense the whole time it was going to get done eventually," said MacKinnon.
The signing means the 27-year-old center will be with Colorado through the 2030-31 season.
"Obviously, it's really cool, for sure," MacKinnon said. "The (length) is the most important thing."
"Nathan is obviously one of the premier players in the NHL so a long-term extension was something we wanted to get done before the season started," Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland said in a news release. "He has that rare combination of speed and power with a high compete level that makes him a generational player. We are thrilled he will continue to be a member of this team and this community for many years to come."
MacKinnon has one year remaining on his current contract, a seven-year, $44.1 million deal. Once the new contract kicks in, he'll be making an average of $12.6 million per year, making him the highest-paid player in hockey. Edmonton's Connor McDavid is currently making $12.5 million per year.
MacKinnon helped lead the Avs to their first Stanley Cup title in 21 years last season. He earned his fifth All-Star appearance and was the team leader in points per game (1.35) while tallying 88 points (32 goals and 56 assists) in 65 games. He was third on the team in points during the playoffs (24) and led the team in goals (13).
Colorado selected MacKinnon with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 NHL entry draft. In nine seasons, he's totaled 242 goals and 406 assists for the Avs. His statistics are the fourth-most by a Colorado player since the franchise relocated from Quebec in 1995. Since the 2017-18 season, he has scored more points (442) than any NHL player aside from Edmonton's McDavid (549) and Leon Draisaitl (479).
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