NEWS FLASH: Avalanche Have ‘No Concern’ About Nathan MacKinnon Contract, GM Says
By Jenna Carver – Mile High Sports Tribune
DENVER, CO — April 23, 2025 — Despite speculation swirling around the NHL’s most electrifying forward, Colorado Avalanche General Manager Doug Hasley made it clear at a press conference Wednesday morning: the Avalanche are not losing any sleep over Nathan MacKinnon’s contract situation.
“There’s absolutely no concern on our end,” Hasley said, standing confidently at the podium, flanked by the Avalanche logo and flaring press lights. “Nathan’s our guy. He’s the heart of this team, and I think he feels the same way. We’re talking. That’s what matters.”
MacKinnon, 29, is entering the final season of his eight-year, $100.8 million deal—a contract that made him the league’s highest-paid player when it was signed in 2022. Since then, the league’s financial landscape has shifted dramatically, with younger stars like Connor Bedard and Matvei Michkov commanding record-shattering extensions. But Hasley is unshaken by the numbers or the noise.
A RELATIONSHIP BUILT ON TRUST
Inside the Avalanche’s locker room at Ball Arena, there’s no sense of panic. In fact, there’s barely a ripple.
“I don’t think there’s a player in here that thinks he’s going anywhere,” said defenseman Cale Makar, taping his stick after morning skate. “Nate’s one of us. He’s part of the DNA of this team. It’s not just about numbers or contracts—it’s about what we’re building.”
What they’re building is nothing short of dynastic. Since MacKinnon’s arrival as the No. 1 pick in 2013, the Avalanche have lifted the Stanley Cup twice (2022, 2024) and made the playoffs in every season since 2017. MacKinnon, who racked up 114 points last season and is on pace for a career-best 126 this year, remains at the center of their success.
“He’s never been a guy chasing money,” said assistant coach Paul Stastny, a former teammate. “Nate’s always been about winning, about competing. If anything, he’ll probably end up underpaid again just so we can keep the band together.”
THE BUSINESS SIDE OF GREATNESS
Still, in the modern NHL, even a franchise icon like MacKinnon can’t escape the business side of the sport. The salary cap, though projected to increase again in 2026, still forces teams to make tough decisions. With Makar, Rantanen, and Byram locked in long-term, some analysts wonder how much room the Avalanche realistically have to give MacKinnon another mega-deal.
Hockey insider Darren Karlsson stirred the pot last week on a national segment, hinting that MacKinnon might test free agency “just to see what’s out there.” Hasley brushed that off today with a hint of dry humor.
“Listen, Darren’s a good guy,” Hasley said, grinning. “But he also once said Gabe Landeskog was retiring to open a brewery in Sweden, and we all saw how that turned out.”
The room laughed, but the underlying message was clear: the Avalanche front office isn’t engaging in rumor warfare.
MACKINNON SPEAKS — KIND OF
After the Avalanche’s 5-2 win over the Calgary Flames last night, MacKinnon was briefly asked about his contract in the locker room scrum.
“I’m not really thinking about that right now,” he said, toweling off. “My focus is on this season, on this team. We’ve got a shot at something special, and that’s all that matters.”
When asked if he wanted to remain an Av for life, MacKinnon didn’t hesitate.
“Of course,” he said, glancing at the Stanley Cup banner hanging above the lockers. “This is home.”
BEHIND THE SCENES
Sources close to the Avalanche say preliminary extension talks with MacKinnon’s agent, Pat Morris, began quietly last month. There’s mutual respect on both sides, and a desire to get something done before the 2025-26 season.
“It’s never been adversarial,” said one team source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “Nate’s not the kind of player who’s going to hold out or cause drama. But he also knows his worth, and so do we.”
The Avalanche are reportedly exploring creative structuring options to keep MacKinnon in Denver without jeopardizing future cap flexibility. These could include signing bonuses spread over multiple years, front-loading the contract, or adding performance incentives tied to playoff success.
THE LEGACY FACTOR
For MacKinnon, it’s not just about the money—it’s about legacy. He’s chasing a third Cup, a Hart Trophy that’s eluded him, and a place in Avalanche history alongside legends like Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg.
“He’s a beast,” said coach Jared Bednar. “Night in, night out, he gives you everything. The way he trains, the way he leads—he’s a guy that drives the entire room. We want him here as long as he wants to be here.”
In Denver, MacKinnon isn’t just a player. He’s a symbol. Of the rebuild. Of the resurgence. Of a city that embraced him from his first explosive stride on NHL ice.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Avalanche currently sit atop the Western Conference, and there’s a growing sense that this may be their best chance at another Cup before cap constraints start biting. But for all the pressure on the ice, Hasley isn’t letting the contract cloud hover.
“People love a good drama,” he said, wrapping up the press conference. “But this isn’t one of those stories. Nate’s not going anywhere. That’s not just my belief—that’s the belief of this entire organization.”
For now, Avalanche fans can breathe easy. Their superstar is locked in—at least mentally—and by all signs, a formal extension may just be a matter of time.
So go ahead and enjoy the show, Colorado. Your captain is right where he belongs.