Nathan
MacKinnon
C · COL · Offensive · Elite
- PAL
- 98
- WAR
- 7.5
- Value
- 95
- PTS
- 127
2025-26№ 1 / 615
Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche) stats and profile: offensive production, ice time, advanced stats, WAR and PAL rating.
Nathan MacKinnon
#29CPlays: Centre · 73% of faceoffs
Colorado Avalanche
HEIGHT : 183 cm · WEIGHT : 91 kg · SHOOTS : R
Born : August 31, 1995 · Halifax, Canada
Drafted : 2013 · COL · round 1, pick #1
Contract : $12,600,000 · 2023-24 → 2030-31 · Standard Contract (Extension) · UFA · Signing bonus $15,725,000NMC
NHL record
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | Colorado Avalanche | 18 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 12 |
| 2025-26 | Colorado Avalanche | 80 | 53 | 74 | 127 | 39 |
| 2024-25 | Colorado Avalanche | 79 | 32 | 84 | 116 | 41 |
| 2023-24 | Colorado Avalanche | 82 | 51 | 89 | 140 | 42 |
| 2022-23 | Colorado Avalanche | 71 | 42 | 69 | 111 | 30 |
| 2021-22 | Colorado Avalanche | 65 | 32 | 56 | 88 | 42 |
| 2020-21 | Colorado Avalanche | 48 | 20 | 45 | 65 | 37 |
| 2019-20 | Colorado Avalanche | 69 | 35 | 58 | 93 | 12 |
| 2018-19 | Colorado Avalanche | 82 | 41 | 58 | 99 | 34 |
| 2017-18 | Colorado Avalanche | 74 | 39 | 58 | 97 | 55 |
| 2016-17 | Colorado Avalanche | 82 | 16 | 37 | 53 | 16 |
| 2015-16 | Colorado Avalanche | 72 | 21 | 31 | 52 | 20 |
| 2014-15 | Colorado Avalanche | 64 | 14 | 24 | 38 | 34 |
| 2013-14 | Colorado Avalanche | 82 | 24 | 39 | 63 | 26 |
| NHL totals | 968 | 430 | 742 | 1172 | 440 | |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | Colorado Avalanche | 13 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 6 |
| 2024-25 | Colorado Avalanche | 7 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 2 |
| 2023-24 | Colorado Avalanche | 11 | 4 | 10 | 14 | 4 |
| 2022-23 | Colorado Avalanche | 7 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 4 |
| 2021-22 | Colorado Avalanche | 20 | 13 | 11 | 24 | 8 |
| 2020-21 | Colorado Avalanche | 10 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 2 |
| 2019-20 | Colorado Avalanche | 15 | 9 | 16 | 25 | 12 |
| 2018-19 | Colorado Avalanche | 12 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 2 |
| 2017-18 | Colorado Avalanche | 6 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 4 |
| 2013-14 | Colorado Avalanche | 7 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 4 |
| Playoff totals | 108 | 62 | 78 | 140 | 48 | |
Honours
- 🏆 Stanley Cuponce · 2021-22
- 🏆 Calder Memorial Trophyonce · 2013-14
- 🏆 Hart Memorial Trophyonce · 2023-24
- 🏆 Lady Byng Memorial Trophyonce · 2019-20
- 🏆 Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophyonce · 2025-26
- 🏆 Ted Lindsay Awardonce · 2023-24
Nathan MacKinnon: our analysis
2025-26 season: 80 GP, 53 G, 74 A, 127 PTS, +57 +/-, 22:16 TOI. WAR 7.5 (1st of 615) · PAL 98, elite.
In 2025-26, Nathan MacKinnon, 31, posts a PAL Rating of 98 out of 100 (elite), and his WAR of 7.5 ranks 1st among 615 regulars, among the league's elite.
His strengths: offense (100, among the best in the league), possession (98, among the best in the league) and power play (98, among the best in the league). On the other hand, defense (5, among the weakest in the league) holds him back.
Breaking down his WAR (goals above average), his biggest contribution: EV offense (+19.3); his biggest cost: EV defense (-2.3).
A season in line with 2024-25 (PAL of 98); his WAR went from 5.0 to 7.5.
Contract-wise, his Value score of 95 (exceptional value) weighs his output against what he costs: 50 is what that salary should buy.
Nathan MacKinnon's story
Growing up in Cole Harbour, Nathan MacKinnon left home as a teenager to train at Shattuck–Saint Mary's in Minnesota, attracted by the school's strong hockey program. He produced prolific numbers at bantam and midget levels and represented Nova Scotia at the 2011 Canada Winter Games, finishing near the top of the tournament scorers.
Selected first overall in the QMJHL draft in 2011 by Baie‑Comeau, his rights were traded to the Halifax Mooseheads, where he quickly became the club's driving force. Still only 16 when he scored five goals in a single QMJHL game, he later captained the Mooseheads to the 2013 Memorial Cup title, earning tournament MVP honours and a place on the all‑star team.
When Colorado used the first overall pick on him in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, MacKinnon moved to the NHL without detours. He signed his entry‑level contract that summer and made an immediate impact: two assists in his debut and his first NHL goal within days. His rookie campaign included a long scoring streak and a 63‑point total across 82 games, enough to win the Calder Trophy. Early seasons featured both milestones — a first NHL hat trick in 2015 — and interruptions from injuries, followed by a seven‑year extension in 2016 and appointment as an alternate captain later that year.
From 2017 onward, his game rose to a new level. After bringing a sports psychologist onto his support team, he posted multiple high‑output games, repeated All‑Star selections and back‑to‑back near‑century seasons (97 points in 2017–18, 99 in 2018–19). Playoff experience grew too: he helped Colorado win its first series during his tenure in 2019 and played a key role in the club's Stanley Cup run in 2022. He also collected individual trophies, including the Lady Byng in 2020.
Internationally, MacKinnon has worn Canada's colours at under‑17 and under‑18 events, the 2013 World Junior Championship, joined Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, and later represented Canada in multi‑nation tournaments including the 2025 Confrontation des 4 nations and the 2026 Olympic Games. His strengths are straightforward: explosive speed, playmaking vision and a consistent ability to generate offence, traits that make him the focal point of Colorado's attack.
Facts drawn from Wikipédia, told in our own words.
Advanced stats
- TOI/GP
- 20:40
- PP TOI/GP
- 4:18
- SH TOI/GP
- 0:05
- Pts/GP
- 1.67
- EV points
- 22
- Hits
- 11
- Blocks
- 5
- Takeaways
- 3
- Corsi % (SAT)
- 53.6 %
- Off. zone starts
- 39.3 %
- Faceoffs
- 49.8 %
Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)
2026-27 projection
Projected points
154between 121 and 177 (80% range)
- Goals
- 59
- Assists
- 95
- Games
- 100
So far: 30 pts in 18 games. The team has played 0 of 84 games. Projected pace: 1.50 pts per game (last season: 1.59).
The projection follows last season's pace. Tested on 2,265 player seasons (2022-23 to 2025-26): average miss of 9 points over 82 games; for players at 0.9 points per game and up, it ran 5 points high on average.
Trend
Stable
- Points per game: 1.71 in 23-24, 1.59 in 25-26
- PAL Rating: 98 → 98
Outlook, age included
↘ Slight declineAge 31: the age when production usually declines
This is only a projection. It knows nothing about injuries, trades or role changes; one player in five finishes outside the range.
Player ratings, 2025-26
All ratings →Fourteen ratings from 0 to 100 drawn from data, never by hand: 75 = established NHL player, 95+ = elite.
OV · OverallConfidence 87 %
96
NHL elite
- SK
- Skating
- 97
- Confidence 73 %
- ST
- Strength
- 65
- Confidence 89 %
- EN
- Endurance
- 97
- Confidence 80 %
- DU
- Durability
- 87
- Confidence 77 %
- CK
- Checking
- 66
- Confidence 89 %
- FG
- Fighting
- 71
- Confidence 66 %
- DI
- Discipline
- 86
- Confidence 89 %
- FO
- Faceoffs
- 76
- Confidence 93 %
- PA
- Passing
- 97
- Confidence 87 %
- SC
- Scoring
- 90
- Confidence 87 %
- DF
- Defense
- 57
- Confidence 85 %
- PS
- Penalty shot
- 61
- Confidence 63 %
- EX
- Experience
- 94
- Confidence 100 %
Why these ratings?Hide details
SK — Skating97
- Top speed (35 %)38.5 · 97
- Bursts > 20 mph /60 (30 %)17.3 · 97
- Distance /60 (20 %)16.3 · 75
- Speed consistency (15 %)37.7 · 97
ST — Strength65
- Contact absorbed /60 (50 %)2.85 · 62
- Body mass (50 %)-0.192 · 76
EN — Endurance97
- Ice time per game (45 %)20.2 · 97
- Total ice time (20 %)1,701 · 97
- Shift length (15 %)53.5 · 93
- Lowest recent ice time per game (15 %)19.8 · 98
- Special-teams time per game (5 %)3.855 · 87
DU — Durability87
- Share of games played (100 %)0.878 · 87
CK — Checking66
- Hits /60 (70 %)2.328 · 64
- Lowest seasonal rate (20 %)1.912 · 65
- Season volume (10 %)4.174 · 76
FG — Fighting71
- Fights per 82 games (100 %)0.761 · 71
DI — Discipline86
- Net penalty value /60 (50 %)0.059 · 86
- Penalties taken /60 (30 %)0.493 · 82
- Penalties drawn /60 (20 %)0.838 · 79
FO — Faceoffs76
- Faceoff % (85 %)49.6 · 75
- Faceoffs /60 (15 %)46.5 · 82
PA — Passing97
- Primary assists /60 (40 %)1.612 · 97
- Secondary assists /60 (20 %)0.933 · 96
- Offensive creation (RAPM) (20 %)0.649 · 97
- Power-play points /60 (10 %)6.174 · 91
- Assist consistency (10 %)1.417 · 97
SC — Scoring90
- Goals /60 (25 %)1.531 · 96
- Individual xG /60 (20 %)1.124 · 89
- Finishing (goals − xG per shot) (20 %)0.954 · 89
- High-danger chances /60 (15 %)1.272 · 76
- xG per shot (10 %)0.076 · 49
- Shot attempts /60 (10 %)20.4 · 95
DF — Defense57
- RAPM defense /60 (35 %)-0.064 · 64
- Relative xG against (20 %)0.343 · 54
- On-ice xG against /60 (15 %)2.717 · 68
- Penalty kill /60 (10 %)-0.012 · 79
- Takeaways − giveaways /60 (10 %)-3.201 · 40
- Shot attempts against /60 (5 %)62.5 · 50
- Blocked shots /60 (5 %)1.964 · 62
PS — Penalty shot61
- Shootouts (60 %)32.4 · 69
- Penalty shots (40 %)25.4 · 57
EX — Experience94
- Career regular-season games (65 %)97
- Career playoff games (25 %)88
- NHL seasons (10 %)90
OV — Overall96
- SC · Scoring (20 %)90
- PA · Passing (20 %)97
- DF · Defense (20 %)57
- SK · Skating (12 %)97
- FO · Faceoffs (10 %)76
- EN · Endurance (8 %)97
- DI · Discipline (5 %)86
- ST · Strength (3 %)65
- CK · Checking (2 %)66
| Season | OV | SK | SC | DF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 96 | 97 | 90 | 57 |
| 2024-25 | 94 | 96 | 87 | 63 |
| 2023-24 | 95 | 95 | 92 | 65 |
| 2022-23 | 91 | 96 | 90 | 58 |
The bars show confidence (sample size), not player quality. — : not enough data, not a zero. Engine version 1.0.
WAR and PAL ratings, 2025-26
How we rate →PAL Rating scores performance from 0 to 100 against players at the same position (50 = average player), starting from the player's strength, offensive or defensive. Value Rating compares that performance with what the player costs: 50 means paid what the play is worth.
WAR
7.5
wins above replacement
1 of 615
PAL Rating
98/ 100
Performance · Elite
7 of 476 at the position
Value Rating
95/ 100
Exceptional value
12.60 M$ · expected PAL 77
ProfileOffensiveValue comes mostly from offense
- Offense
- 100
- Defense
- 18
See full detailsHide details
- Offense
- 100
- Creation
- 78
- Shooting
- 96
- Possession
- 98
- Defense
- 5
- Discipline
- 72
- Power play
- 98
- Penalty kill
- 44
From 0 to 100; 50 is the average player at the same position, adjusted for ice time.
| Season | Team | WAR | PAL | Value | Cap hit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | COL | 7.5 | 98 | 95 | 12.60 M$ |
| 2024-25 | COL | 5.0 | 98 | 94 | 12.60 M$ |
| 2023-24 | COL | 7.0 | 99 | 97 | 12.60 M$ |
| 2022-23 | COL | 3.7 | 95 | 91 | 6.30 M$ |
Hockey IQ, 2025-26
Rankings and method →The quality of the player's decisions with and against the puck at 5-on-5, against regulars at the same position (50 = average). PAL measures output; IQ measures how the player plays.
Overall IQ
69/ 100
Average
better than 69% of forwards, offense and defense combined
Offensive IQ
54/ 100
Average
passing, shots, puck
Defensive IQ
69/ 100
Average
takeaways, discipline, own zone
Overall IQ isn't an average of the two scores: it's the player's rank with offense and defense combined, 130 of 424 forwards.
See full detailsHide details
Offense
- Playmaking passes
- 99
- Shot selection
- 21
- Penalties drawn
- 46
- Puck management
- 16
Defense
- Takeaways
- 42
- Discipline
- 90
- Safe zone exits
- 39
Percentiles: 80 means better than 80% of regulars at the same position. Play without the puck (positioning, coverage) isn't measured: the NHL doesn't publish that data.
| Season | Team | IQ | Off. | Def. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | COL | 69 | 54 | 69 |
| 2024-25 | COL | 64 | 32 | 82 |
| 2023-24 | COL | 42 | 41 | 48 |
| 2022-23 | COL | 94 | 86 | 85 |
WAR, 2025-26
How it's calculated →Wins added to the team, compared with a replacement-level player called up from the AHL.
7.5
wins above replacement
5.4 to 9.1 — 90% interval
1 of 615 forwards
+39.9 goals above replacement
Full leaderboard →See full detailsHide details
- EV offense
- +19.3
- EV defense
- -2.3
- Power play
- +5.5
- Penalty kill
- +0.0
- Shooting
- +11.5
- Penalties
- +1.4
- Average → replacement
- +4.5
In goals.
| Season | Team | GP | WAR | 90% interval | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | COL | 80 | 7.5 | 5.4 to 9.1 | 1/615 |
| 2024-25 | COL | 78 | 5.0 | 3.5 to 6.9 | 5/596 |
| 2023-24 | COL | 82 | 7.0 | 4.8 to 8.6 | 2/608 |
| 2022-23 | COL | 71 | 3.7 | 2.2 to 6.0 | 16/617 |
Player tracking (NHL EDGE)
League EDGE leaderboards →Speed, shot power, distance covered, time by zone: measured by chips in the puck and shoulder pads. 90th percentile = better than 90% of players.
- Hardest shot
- 144.0 km/h89th percentileleague avg. 130.1 km/h
- Top skating speed
- 38.6 km/h100th percentileleague avg. 35.2 km/h
- Bursts over 20 mph, season
- 132100th percentileleague avg. 21
- Offensive zone time
- 46.4 %90th percentileleague avg. 43.1 %
See full detailsHide details
- Total distance, season
- 93.4 km96th percentileleague avg. 52.2 km
- Distance, single-game high
- 6.83 km99th percentileleague avg. 4.52 km
- Offensive zone at 5v5
- 42.9 %82nd percentileleague avg. 42.4 %
- Neutral zone time
- 17.4 %19th percentileleague avg. 16.8 %
- Defensive zone time
- 36.2 %88th percentileleague avg. 40.1 %
Shooting
| Shots on goal | Goals | Shooting % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 6699th percentile | 1098th percentile | 15.2 %60th percentile |
| High danger | 1589th percentile | 157th percentile | 6.7 %12th percentile |
| Mid range | 2297th percentile | 599th percentile | 22.7 %81st percentile |
| Long range | 999th percentile | 199th percentile | 11.1 %88th percentile |
Shots on goal by zone
2026-2027 regular season. Measured by puck and player tracking chips; the percentile ranks the player within the league.
Game log, 2026-27
DET
NSH
CBJ
CHI
CGY
NJD
TBL
PHI
PIT
DAL
TOR
WPG
STL
LAKNathan MacKinnon: frequently asked questions
How many goals does Nathan MacKinnon have in 2026-27?
Nathan MacKinnon has 10 goals and 30 points (20 assists) in 18 games in 2026-27.
How old is Nathan MacKinnon?
Nathan MacKinnon is 31 years old: he was born on September 1, 1995.
How tall is Nathan MacKinnon, and how much does he weigh?
Nathan MacKinnon is 6'0" (183 cm) and weighs 201 lb (91 kg).
Where is Nathan MacKinnon from?
Canada: Nathan MacKinnon was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
What team does Nathan MacKinnon play for?
Nathan MacKinnon plays for the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL, at C, wearing number 29.
Is Nathan MacKinnon injured?
No: Nathan MacKinnon is not on the latest NHL injury report. This answer is updated throughout the season.
How good is Nathan MacKinnon?
Nathan MacKinnon produced 7.5 wins above replacement (WAR) in 2025-26, 1st of 615 players at his position in the NHL. His PAL rating is 98 out of 100: elite for his position.
How much does Nathan MacKinnon make?
Nathan MacKinnon earns $12.6M for the 2025-26 season. His Value Rating is 95 out of 100 (exceptional value): it measures the on-field return for that salary, compared with players at his position.
When does Nathan MacKinnon's contract end?
Nathan MacKinnon's contract runs through the 2030-31 season; he will then be an unrestricted free agent. It includes a NMC clause.
Is Nathan MacKinnon overpaid?
No, he gives more than he costs. His Value rating is 95 out of 100 (exceptional value), where 50 is the output expected for his salary, compared with players at his position.
Is Nathan MacKinnon a top-10 player at his position?
Yes: by WAR, he ranks 1st of 615 players at his position in the NHL in 2025-26. Our comparison tool puts him side by side with any other player.
Is Nathan MacKinnon getting better?
He is holding steady: his PAL rating went from 98 in 2024-25 to 98 in 2025-26 (out of 100, 50 = average player at his position).
How has Nathan MacKinnon played lately?
Over his last 10 games, Nathan MacKinnon has 14 points (4 goals, 10 assists).
What are Nathan MacKinnon's career stats?
Over his NHL career, Nathan MacKinnon has 968 games, 430 goals, 742 assists and 1,172 points. His best season: 2023-24, with 140 points in 82 games.
Where was Nathan MacKinnon drafted?
Nathan MacKinnon was drafted 1st overall (round 1) by Colorado Avalanche in 2013.
Is Nathan MacKinnon better at home or on the road?
At home: in 2026-27, he averages 2.10 points per game at home (21 in 10 games) and 1.13 on the road (9 in 8 games).
How does Nathan MacKinnon perform in the playoffs?
In the playoffs, Nathan MacKinnon has 108 games and 140 points in his career. His pace (1.30 points per game) is higher than his regular-season pace (1.21).
Which player is most similar to Nathan MacKinnon?
Nikita Kucherov: he is the player at his position whose PAL profile (the 0-to-100 dimensions) is closest to his in 2025-26.
Nikita Kucherov's page →Is Nathan MacKinnon a good fantasy pick?
Yes, a top-tier pick: our projection has him at 154 points in 2026-27, or 1.54 points per game.
What is Nathan MacKinnon's nationality?
Nathan MacKinnon is Canadian. Internationally: Canada: 2015 IIHF World Championship gold medalist, 2017 IIHF World Championship silver medalist, 2025 4 Nations Face‑Off champion and tournament MVP, 2026 Winter Olympics silver medalist.
What awards has Nathan MacKinnon won?
Calder Memorial Trophy (rookie of the year) — 2014 ; Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (sportsmanship and performance) — 2020 ; Hart Memorial Trophy (most valuable player — regular season) — 2024 ; Ted Lindsay Award (most outstanding player, peers' vote) — 2024 ; Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy (NHL leading goal-scorer) — 2026 ; Most valuable player (MVP) of the 4 Nations Face‑Off — 2025.
How many championships has Nathan MacKinnon won?
4: Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche — 2022; Memorial Cup with the Halifax Mooseheads — 2013; IIHF World Championship with Team Canada — 2015; 4 Nations Face‑Off with Team Canada — 2025.
Where did Nathan MacKinnon play before turning pro?
Junior/early development: Cole Harbour Red Wings (Bantam AAA), Shattuck‑Saint Mary's (Bantam Tier I then U‑16 Midget program, including the 2010–11 season), Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL, selected first overall in 2011, led to the 2013 Memorial Cup).
How many points is Nathan MacKinnon projected to score in 2026-27?
Our projection has him at 154 points in 100 games in 2026-27 (121 to 177 points, 80% interval), based on his recent seasons, age and role.
See also: his Colorado Avalanche teammates
Full roster →
NHL.com ↗ · Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)