Is Nathan MacKinnon the best player in Avalanche history?

The Colorado Avalanche franchise has a rich, if relatively young, history since relocating from Quebec in 1995. That year also marked the birth of Nathan MacKinnon, who has grown into one of the most dominant forces in the NHL. As the team eyes another strong playoff run in 2026, the debate rages: has MacKinnon already surpassed legends like Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, and Patrick Roy to claim the title of the greatest Avs player ever?[1]

MacKinnon’s meteoric rise includes a Hart Memorial Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award in 2024, setting franchise records along the way. Yet, with icons still casting long shadows, the conversation blends stats, Cups, and intangibles. This season, as he chases more milestones, the question feels timelier than ever.

A brief history of Avalanche greatness

The Avalanche entered the NHL scene with immediate impact, winning the Stanley Cup in their inaugural 1995-96 season behind Sakic, Forsberg, and Roy. All three earned spots on the NHL’s 100 Greatest Players list in 2017. Other Hall of Famers like Ray Bourque, Rob Blake, and Paul Kariya passed through Denver, adding luster to the burgundy and blue.

Lean years followed, but smart drafting rebuilt the core with Gabriel Landeskog, Cale Makar, Mikko Rantanen, and MacKinnon. Landeskog anchors the all-time team discussions, while Makar, a two-time Norris winner, is already the top defenseman in franchise history. Rantanen shone for nine-plus seasons before his 2024-25 trade.

Nostalgia plays a role, especially with the Nordiques’ legacy. Michel Goulet and Peter Stastny rank high in franchise points despite pre-Denver tenures. The Avs honor that era with retro jerseys, pulling in fans across generations.

Former Avs analyst John-Michael Liles notes how records once thought unbreakable by Sakic are now falling. “There’s a lot of records that Joe Sakic has with the Avs that we didn’t think would be broken,” Liles said. “And now all of a sudden, you see Nathan MacKinnon start to break some of these records or creep up on some of these records.”[1]

The franchise’s youth—NHL entry in 1979, Denver move in 1995—means living legends like Sakic (team president) and Forsberg (active on social media) remain visible. This keeps comparisons fresh and fans engaged.

MacKinnon’s record-shattering path

MacKinnon set the Avalanche single-season points record en route to his 2024 MVP honors, becoming the second Avs player after Sakic to win Hart and Lindsay in the same year. His first 100-point season came at age 27 (111 points in 2022-23), but he’s since exploded with perennial MVP challenges against Nikita Kucherov and Connor McDavid.[1]

Through 949 games, MacKinnon has 1,141 points (419 goals, 722 assists), ranking third in goals, second in assists, and fourth in games played. He’s notched four 100-point seasons (second to Sakic’s six), 11 20-goal seasons (tied for second), and 76 game-winners (second to Sakic’s 86).

Here’s a snapshot of key franchise leaders:

Sakic’s longevity includes two player Cups (1996, 2001) and one as executive (2022). MacKinnon has one Cup (2022) but leads modern metrics.

Cale Makar praises MacKinnon’s evolution: “Everybody evolves, and I think for him, the biggest thing is every season he continues to evolve and he pushes other guys to evolve as well.” His drive keeps elevating the team.

Recent milestones, like nearing Sakic’s marks, fuel the fire. For more on his stats trajectory, check NHL.com’s player page.[2]

Comparing eras: Sakic vs. MacKinnon

Sakic’s vision and consistency defined an era. Liles, who played with him, recalls: “Joe never cheated the game ever, but he was so good offensively. You knew he was always going to do something with the puck. He had this way of seeing the game two or three steps ahead of everyone.”

MacKinnon’s speed and skill shine in today’s faster game. Sakic himself says: “He’s going to blow away all those numbers. He is the most exciting player to ever wear an Avs jersey.”[1]

The modern NHL favors youth, with MacKinnon entering his prime at 30. His training regimen, akin to Sidney Crosby’s, suggests sustained excellence. Landeskog highlights his investment: “He spends a lot of time, money and effort on making sure he gives himself the best chance.”

Debates often hinge on Cups, but Sakic dismisses that: “I think he’s done it all already. Just watch him play. People pay money to watch this guy play every single night.”

While Sakic holds overall leads, MacKinnon’s pace projects him to surpass them. Recent analyses show him ahead in Avalanche-only points per game.[3]

Peers weigh in on the debate

Landeskog, sixth in Avs games played, sees MacKinnon stamping the franchise alongside Sakic and Forsberg. “In terms of an organization? There are guys like that—like Nate, like Joe, like Peter, like Cale—that are essentially putting a stamp on the organization for a long time.”

MacKinnon deflects: “Obviously, this comes along with a lot of hard work, team success and having players like Cale around me. That’s not what gets me out of bed every day. I’m just trying to get better every day.”

His humility contrasts his automaton-like preparation. Liles predicts more: “I watch him on a nightly basis, and I still think that the best is yet to come.”

Even amid milestones like his 1,100th point, MacKinnon shuns legacy talk: “At the end of the day, we’re all going to be forgotten. I’m not going to worry about legacy and all that stuff.”

For deeper dives into his season, see ESPN’s full feature.[1]

What the future holds

At 30, MacKinnon faces the inevitable aging curve, but his regimen could mimic Crosby’s longevity. Projections have him shattering Sakic’s records, potentially with another Cup.

Team success amplifies individual shine. Sakic hopes for more: “Hopefully, he wins another Cup because that means I get another Cup! But so does our organization and our city.”

MacKinnon’s impact transcends stats—he’s the draw, the leader, the unicorn.

As the 2025-26 season progresses, watch if he ties Sakic’s 30-goal seasons or pushes points higher. The debate may tip decisively soon, cementing his legacy in Avalanche lore.