The NHL’s next generation of stars may be making noise, but Nathan MacKinnon isn’t ready to surrender his throne anytime soon.
The 30-year-old Colorado Avalanche center reminded everyone of his dominance over the weekend, racking up nine points in just two games to reclaim the top spot in the league scoring race. After a four-point night against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday, MacKinnon followed it up with a five-point masterpiece versus the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday — a performance that left teammates and opponents alike in awe.
“It’s unreal,” defenseman Cale Makar said after the game. “He’s finding ways to score, going to the right spots, driving the play — it’s amazing to play with him every night.”
The surge comes amid talk around the league that rising phenoms like Connor Bedard, Leo Carlsson, and Macklin Celebrini are beginning to challenge the NHL’s established elite. MacKinnon, who trailed that trio entering the weekend, now sits four points ahead with 29 points in 16 games — and has led the Avalanche to a league-best 10-1-5 record.
“I don’t want to jinx it, but we’ve been playing really well,” MacKinnon said postgame. “We’ve only got one regulation loss in 16 games. Our five-on-five play’s been great, the penalty kill’s been great — the power play needs a bit of work, but we haven’t had to rely on it much yet.”
MacKinnon’s second goal against Vancouver also made franchise history, moving him past Peter Stastny into third place on the Avalanche/Quebec Nordiques all-time goals list with 381. Only Michel Goulet (456) and Joe Sakic (625) remain ahead. He’s also closing in on Stastny for second in career points, now sitting at 1,044 — just four shy of tying him. Sakic’s 1,641 points remain the benchmark.
Crosby Still Holding Strong
MacKinnon isn’t the only Nova Scotian superstar fending off the youth movement. Sidney Crosby, now 38 and in his 21st NHL season, continues to produce at an elite level. The Pittsburgh Penguins captain is tied for third in goals with 11 and recently became just the ninth player in NHL history to surpass 1,700 career points.
“Joining that company — those are players I grew up idolizing,” Crosby said. “I never thought I’d be near them. I’m just grateful to have played this long and to be part of that group.”
Ahead of Crosby on the all-time list are legends like Wayne Gretzky, Jaromir Jagr, Mark Messier, and Mario Lemieux, whom he’s closing in on for the Penguins’ all-time points record.
Still, the new generation is undeniably rising. Bedard, dubbed hockey’s next generational talent, is tied with Carlsson for second in the NHL scoring race, putting both in the mix for spots on Canada’s Olympic roster. Celebrini, just 19, isn’t far behind — sitting fourth in scoring and impressing veterans like Crosby, who played alongside him at the 2025 World Championships.
“He came to a camp in Halifax and you could see right away how hungry and passionate he is,” Crosby said. “Even last season he kept getting better and more confident, and the worlds were another step. He’s started this season incredibly — he’s just building and building.”
For now, though, MacKinnon and Crosby are proving that experience, drive, and competitive fire still rule the NHL — even as the next wave comes crashing in.