(Henderson) Nathan MacKinnon expects to sign a contract extension with the Colorado Avalanche shortly, which could make him the highest-paid player in the NHL.
Posted yesterday at 6:51 p.m.
MacKinnon wants to reach a deal before the start of the season next month, adding that he will suspend talks if a deal is not reached by October 12.
That’s when the defending champions will raise their Stanley Cup banner and begin their title defense at home against the Chicago Blackhawks.
“We are quite close [d’une entente]MacKinnon said Thursday, as part of the NHL and NHLPA media tour in suburban Las Vegas.
“I would rather this be settled [avant le début de la saison]. It gets emotional. Sometimes you feel like it’s personal. »
“I would like it not to be a distraction when the season starts. »
Officer Pat Brisson said the parties were trying to come to a pact fairly quickly.
MacKinnon’s current contract expires after this season.
His new deal could top Connor McDavid’s $100 million (over eight years) as the most lucrative contract of the salary cap era, which began in 2005.
McDavid’s salary has a 12.5 million impact on the salary cap, the highest in the league.
“It would be nice if it kept going up,” the Oilers captain said of the idea of another player pocketing more.
“But at the end of the day, the salary cap is a weird system where the more money you make, the less someone else can make. It makes the concept a bit strange that way. »
MacKinnon said he would be willing to take less money to keep Colorado competitive.
The Avalanche have signed long-term contracts to elite defenseman Cale Makar, captain Gabriel Landeskog and key forwards Valeri Nichushkin and Artturi Lehkonen.
“I think the deal I sign will be fair,” MacKinnon said. It will be good for both parties. The Avalanche is the only team I want to play for. »
Three times in the past five years, MacKinnon has been a finalist for the Hart Trophy, awarded to the league’s most valuable player.
He was one of his best players on the road to winning the Cup, scoring 24 points in 20 games.