January 4th 2025.
Nathan MacKinnon has had a remarkable hockey career, and it can be divided into different phases. The first phase was his rise to becoming a phenom and being drafted as the No. 1 pick. Then, he went through an early plateau in his NHL career. However, he has now entered Phase 4, where he has become an unstoppable force and is building a legacy that could potentially make him one of the greatest players of all time. So, what has been the key to his recent dominance?
Well, it's a simple reminder that being available is a valuable ability. As MacKinnon reached his full potential as an MVP candidate and Stanley Cup champion, there was still one final hurdle to overcome. From 2017 to 2023, he consistently produced like an MVP, but his availability was a concern. As he said, "You want to be a guy the team can rely on...I felt like I wasn't being that guy." He missed games due to injuries, and it was frustrating for him. But now, he has changed that narrative.
In the past, MacKinnon missed games due to various injuries, including broken bones. However, he has been lucky in recent years and has been taking better care of himself off the ice. His teammate Mikko Rantanen mentioned that MacKinnon puts in a lot of hard work in the gym, and it has paid off. He has become a role model for his teammates, and his dedication and work ethic have allowed him to log huge minutes on the ice. Last season, he played in every game and set a franchise record with 140 points, winning his first MVP award.
Now, in 2025, MacKinnon has been the most dominant player in the NHL for the past two seasons. From January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024, he had 278 points, which was 11 more than Connor McDavid, who is considered one of the best players in the league. He also had the most even-strength points and shots on goal, which are impressive statistical achievements. But the most significant aspect of MacKinnon's performance in Phase 4 has been his availability. He has not missed a single game, while other top players have missed significant playing time due to injuries.
MacKinnon's style of play puts him at risk of getting injured, but he has managed to stay healthy by taking care of his body and being physically prepared for each game. He also receives support from his coach, who is not afraid to double-shift him when necessary. With his dedication and hard work, MacKinnon has been averaging over 22 minutes per game, which is a career-high for him.
But it's not just about playing time; it's also about the quality of play. MacKinnon has been on the ice for a total of 3,801 minutes and 59 seconds in the past two seasons, which is more than any other forward in the league. He has even played more minutes than some of the top defensemen. This shows his incredible endurance and his importance to the team. His teammate Devon Toews said, "He's dedicated to making sure he feels as good as he can be every day...He's definitely a good role model for our guys."
In conclusion, MacKinnon has been a dominant force in the NHL for years, but now he has reached a new level of greatness. He has overcome injury concerns and has become an unstoppable force on the ice. His availability has been crucial to his success, and it's a testament to his hard work and dedication to taking care of his body. He has become a role model for his teammates, and his performance has been nothing short of legendary.
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