Colorado Avalanche and Nathan McKinnon Agree on Seven Year Deal

The Colorado Avalanche and Nate McKinnon reached an agreement on a seven year, 44.1 million-dollar contract to keep the center in the Mile High City. 

McKinnon, set to begin his fourth season in the National Hockey League, was third in scoring for the Avalanche during the past season. The 20-year-old center put up 21 goals and 31 assists in 72 games in 2015-2016, before missing the final 10 games of the season with a knee injury. 

From his home in Halifax, Nova Scotia, via conference call, McKinnon said “Honestly, it was a very weird signing today. I hesitated before sending it back, just thinking where I am from and that kind of money. It is just crazy to me, but I am very lucky and I know I am very fortunate. It is nice to have security and I know Denver will be my home for the next seven seasons.”

 

He added, “It weighs on you. I have been thinking about it for a long time. Now, I can finish off my training and have a clear head and know where my home will be for the next seven years. 

Negotiations were great, they were very fair and patient with me. I wanted to be in Colorado for a long time, and I am definitely very thankful for what happened.” 

He noted that, “When you are lucky enough to make this kind of money, it comes with leadership. I am young, but I am going into my fourth season. It is definitely time to take on more of a leadership role.”

McKinnon was one of the Avalanche’s four remaining restricted free agents. Defenseman, Tyson Barrie and forward, Mikhail Grigorenko opted for salary arbitration, while defenseman Duncan Siemans is still unsigned. 

Avalanche general manager, Joe Sakic said, “Signing Nathan long term was a priority this offseason. He is going to be a key part of our team for many years to come and it was important to secure his rights moving forward.”

Drafted number overall by the Avalanche in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, McKinnon won the Calder Trophy as the Rookie of the Year following the 2013-2014 season. During his rookie season he scored 24 goals and 39 assists in 82 games, while adding two goals and eight assists in seven games during the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

While the Avalanche have missed the postseason the past two years, McKinnon is eager to help them return to the playoffs. 

He said, “Obviously the pressure is there since signing this. They are making it a point that they want me to help them get back to the Cup. That is the whole goal is behind this. I really think the players we have, the young guys we have, the veterans, we have a very good mix. It has been a disappointing couple seasons. I truly believe we are going to be a strong team and a contender for years to come.”  

McKinnon will continue to do his offseason training with fellow Nova Scotia native, Sidney Crosby as he has done in years past. 

He said, “I have had some great moments, I have had some down moments. You have to kind of even it all out. A good example is what Sid did this season. People tell you he is over the hill, he was done and then he is up for the Hart [Trophy] and he wins the Conn Smythe. It is pretty amazing.”

Over the course of his young career, McKinnon has scored 59 goals and 94 assists in 218 NHL games. He will represent the North American squad during the 2016 World Cup of Hockey in Toronto, Ontario from September 17 through October 1.