Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche had a remarkable regular season, winning the Presidents' Trophy with 121 points. On Thursday, Joe Sakic, the president of hockey operations, announced plans to run it back next season with the core group, including MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Gabriel Landeskog.
What happened?
The Avalanche were swept by the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference Final, but Sakic prefers to focus on the regular season's success. He trusts the core group of players and head coach Jared Bednar, who has the most wins in team history.
The team's fast-paced style made them the highest-scoring squad in the regular season, but they were held to seven goals in the series against the Golden Knights. Sakic downplayed any issues with the team's style, saying they will be ready for next year.
Why it matters for Nathan MacKinnon
Nathan MacKinnon is a key player in the Avalanche's core group, and Sakic's decision to run it back next season means MacKinnon will continue to lead the team. The Avalanche were hit by injuries in the playoffs, including Makar, who missed two games against the Golden Knights.
Sakic said everybody will be at training camp and 100% next season. He also plans to sign Makar to an extension, with conversations already started. Makar turned in a 20-goal season for a third consecutive year.
What comes next?
The Avalanche will look to improve next season, with Sakic confident that the core group can make another deep playoff run. Nathan MacKinnon will continue to be a key player, and the team's fast-paced style will remain a key part of their strategy.
The Avalanche's success this season was remarkable, with 121 points and the Presidents' Trophy. Sakic's decision to run it back next season means the team will look to build on this success, with Nathan MacKinnon leading the way. On Thursday, Sakic said the team will give the players an opportunity to try and do it again next season.
Joe Sakic, the president of hockey operations, has the confidence of the players, and he is going with the players. The players really believe in Bednar, and Sakic said he is the right guy. The Avalanche will look to make another deep playoff run next season, with Nathan MacKinnon and the core group leading the way.