Is Nathan MacKinnon The Best Player On The Colorado Avalanche Right Now?
By Andrew Dill
Jan 27, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Colorado Avalanche rookie center Nathan MacKinnon (29) watches his team take on the Dallas Stars during the third period at the American Airlines Center. MacKinnon scores a goal in the first. The Avalanche defeated the Stars 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Who Is The Avalanche’s Top Player As Of Right Now?
The Colorado Avalanche have one final game remaining until the Winter Olympics break as they take on the New York Islanders tomorrow night. They have had a great start to the season which was a surprise to most of the people who follow the NHL, but we all knew the talent was there.
It all started in the 2013 NHL Draft where the Colorado Avalanche had a choice to make. Would they select a forward in Nathan MacKinnon who absolutely lit it up for the Halifax Mooseheads with his quick hands or would they go with a stout defenseman Seth Jones who was a Colorado boy to address their defensive needs. Colorado would go with the offensive talent in Nathan MacKinnon and he has not disappointed.
Up until this point in the regular season, MacKinnon is third on the team in points with 43 while leading the team in goals scored with 21. Another intriguing stat is MacKinnon is tied-2nd on the team with a plus/minus rating of +12. Among rookies in the National Hockey League, he leads all rookies in points, goals, and assists. Don’t get me wrong the kid is still a rookie, but he has shown he is primed to be in the league for a long time as he continues to make defenses look silly with his blazing speed and quick hands. Is MacKinnon the best player as of right now on the roster? My answer as of right now is he very well could be.
Jan 11, 2014; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Colorado Avalanche forward Matt Duchene (9) against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Avalanche defeated the Wild 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Matt Duchene would be the person that comes to mind as the so-called best player on the ice for the Avs. However, he has fallen into a drought of late in the goals column as he has just scored one goal in the past 23 games. He has collected points since then in the assist column with 16 assists in 23 games.
Ryan O’Reilly could be considered in the mix as well as the forward already surpassed a career-high in goals as he currently sits at 21 tied with the rookie. O’Reilly is a do it all forward that plays both sides of the ice very well as he has 21 points and 20 assists in 55 games. You could also throw the captain Gabriel Landeskog into the category as well where he is second on the team in points right behind center Matt Duchene with 46. Landeskog has collected 17 goals and 29 assists in 56 games played.
MacKinnon, Duchene, O’Reilly, Landeskog, and Stastny are all key players for the Colorado Avalanche to make a playoff run this year. They all have different styles of play which makes this team fun to watch. Make sure to vote below.