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.
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