Nathan MacKinnon has officially cemented his place among the greatest players in Colorado Avalanche history. The superstar center became the franchise’s all-time points leader since relocating to Denver in 1995-96, reaching an impressive 1,017 career points and surpassing the legendary Joe Sakic, who previously held the mark with 1,015. This milestone is not just a number—it represents years of dominance, leadership, and consistency from one of the NHL’s most electrifying players.
MacKinnon broke the record in the Avalanche’s season-opening 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings. The former Hart Trophy winner recorded two assists in the game, continuing his reputation as a dynamic playmaker. His primary assist on Martin Necas’ second-period goal gave him point number 1,016, pushing him past Sakic on the Avalanche’s Colorado-era leaderboard. Just one game into the season, MacKinnon showed once again why he’s the heart of this team.
While MacKinnon now holds the Colorado-era record, Sakic remains the franchise’s all-time leader (including the Quebec Nordiques years) with 1,641 points. Still, passing a Hockey Hall of Famer like Sakic is no small feat. It highlights MacKinnon’s incredible production over the years and signals that he’s building a legacy of his own—one that could eventually challenge even the greatest names in team history.
Teammates and coaches were quick to praise MacKinnon’s accomplishment. Captain Gabriel Landeskog had nothing but admiration for the star center, saying, “He means a ton. He drives our team on a nightly basis offensively. Just so many things he does so well, and I’m not surprised that he’s, yet again, breaking another franchise record. It’s just kind of what he does, so exciting to see.” MacKinnon’s leadership and relentless drive are clearly felt in the locker room and on the ice every single night.
Since being drafted first overall in 2013, MacKinnon has evolved from a highly touted prospect into one of the premier players in the NHL. His blend of speed, power, and skill has made him nearly unstoppable, and his impact goes far beyond the scoresheet. With this record now in hand—and many years still ahead—there’s no telling how high he can climb in the franchise’s all-time rankings.
The celebration is far from over. The Avalanche will host their home opener on Thursday at 7 PM in Ball Arena, where they’ll take on the Utah Mammoths. With MacKinnon fresh off a historic achievement and the team off to a strong start, the energy in the building is sure to be electric. One thing is certain: Avalanche fans are witnessing greatness in real time, and Nathan MacKinnon is nowhere near finished writing his story.