LAS VEGAS — Nathan MacKinnon has added another trophy to his NHL accolades.
The Avalanche’s superstar center won the Calder Trophy in 2013 as rookie of the year. He’s been among the league leaders in goals, assists and points for over a half-decade. In 2022, MacKinnon was a key piece of the Avalanche’s Stanley Cup championship. He even won the Ted Lindsay Award earlier on Thursday as the most outstanding player in the regular season as judged by fellow players in the NHL.
MacKinnon, 28, is the 2023-24 Hart Trophy winner as the NHL’s regular-season M.V.P.
The Hart Trophy is something that Colorado’s top center has been chasing for years. In 2017-18, his first breakout season in the NHL, MacKinnon was narrowly defeated by New Jersey Devils forward Taylor Hall in one of the closest voting races in recent memory. He also finished second in 2019-20 behind Leon Draisaitl, who was far and away the victor for that year’s M.V.P.
This time around, MacKinnon defeated Tampa Bay Lightning star forward Nikita Kucherov and Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid. Kucherov, who won the 2019 Hart Trophy, won the Art Ross Trophy with 144 points.
Coming off an already impressive career year in 2022-23, MacKinnon elevated his game to new heights in his 11th season. The 2013 No. 1 overall pick led Colorado in goals (51) Assists (89) and points (140), breaking several records along the way.
His 140 points are a franchise record. He also blew past his previous franchise best in shots, with 405 in 82 games. Perhaps his most impressive accomplishment, MacKinnon is the first player in NHL history to record two separate 19-game point streaks within the same season. MacKinnon also recorded a 35-game home point streak, trailing only behind NHL great Wayne Gretzky.
Throughout the season, MacKinnon amassed several memorable moments. He has the only two four-goal games in franchise history — recording both in 34 days this past season. He had four against the Ottawa Senators in a 6-4 victory on Dec. 21 before equaling the feat on Jan. 24 in a 6-2 triumph over Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals.
MacKinnon, who will be 29 when next season begins, is still looking for his first Art Ross Trophy. He finished four points back of Kucherov. MacKinnon is the first Hart Trophy winner for the Avalanche since 2002-03 when Peter Forsberg was named league M.V.P. after winning the last Art Ross Trophy in franchise history.
MacKinnon and Kucherov were the only players to reach the 140-point plateau in 2023-24.