Nathan MacKinnon: 'I need to prove that I can be a dominant player in the league'
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon scored 24 goals and tallied 63 points in his rookie season, but has loftier expectations for himself entering his sophomore campaign.
“I expect more out of me," MacKinnon told Yahoo Sports' Nick Cotsonika. "I feel like I can really take the next step this season. I had a year of growth, but now I need to prove that I can be a dominant player in the league more than last year.”
The first overall selection in the 2013 draft scored two goals in his final 24 regular-season games last season after registering 22 in the first 58. In Colorado's seven-game playoff loss to the Minnesota Wild, he scored two goals and chipped in eight assists.
MacKinnon said he needs to be more consistent.
"I don’t think it was as good a season as everybody’s saying it was," he said. "Obviously I had to learn some stuff. There were a few bumps in the road."
The 19-year-old acknowledged he got more comfortable as the season went on.
"I don’t think I was playing with much confidence,” he said. “I was scared to make plays, scared to mess up. The switch kind of flipped after Christmas. I just figured I need to start playing my game.”
MacKinnon spent the offseason training with felllow Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, native Sidney Crosby. Like Crosby, the Avalanche forward attended Shattuck-St. Mary's in Minnesota. Both players were selected first overall by their respective NHL teams.
“We’re pretty good friends,” MacKinnon told Cotsonika. “I try to keep him young, because when he’s 30, 33 or whatever, I’ll be in my prime. He says he’s nervous for that.”
The league's reigning Hart Trophy winner said playing with MacKinnon has helped him.
“Having to chase him around on the ice has probably been a good thing for me, too," Crosby said. "He’s pretty eager and full of energy.”
MacKinnon appears primed to improve on his impressive rookie campaign when training camp opens later this month.
“I felt like I really improved this off-season. I feel great. I think I’m going to make the next step this season,” he said.