Nathan MacKinnon appears to have every intention of making good on a freshly signed seven-year, $44.1-million contract extension with the Colorado Avalanche.
Coming off a season in which MacKinnon was sidelined with a knee injury and the Avalanche missed the playoffs for the second straight year, the 20-year-old aims to take his game - and the team - to the next level.
"I think everybody on the team has a chip on their shoulder that we can be a little better," MacKinnon said Friday, according to Terry Frei of the Denver News. "I think we're really going to challenge ourselves and me personally, I've never felt more motivated than I have these last couple of months.
"I feel like I have a lot to prove in this league and I definitely can take my game to a whole other level. ... I think 82 games, coming every night, being a true professional. I think after three seasons, my mind is clear. I've had some great moments, I've had some down moments, and it's just kind of balancing that out. It's a roller coaster ride."
And don't think the long-term, big-money deal will go to MacKinnon's head.
"It was very weird signing (the contract)," he said. "I hesitated before I sent it back. … Just thinking where I’m from and that kind of money. It’s just crazy to me, but I’m very lucky and I know I’m very fortunate."
Drafted first overall in 2013, MacKinnon won the 2014 Calder Trophy on the strength of a 24-goal, 63-point rookie season. Over three campaigns with the Avalanche, he's averaging 22 goals and 58 points for every 82 games played.
MacKinnon's late-season knee injury didn't require surgery, and he's resumed his regular offseason training. The young forward is scheduled to suit up for Team North America at the World Cup of Hockey in September.
