Nathan MacKinnon: Salary, Stats, Wife & Crosby Friendship

Ask any Avalanche fan and they’ll tell you: Nathan MacKinnon is the engine that drives Colorado. Since going first overall in the 2013 NHL Draft, the Nova Scotian center has stacked up a Hart Trophy, a Stanley Cup, and a contract that at signing was the highest‑paid in NHL history at the time. But beyond the stats, there’s a quieter story about the relationships, personality, and wealth that define him. This guide covers the numbers and the man behind them.

Position: Center · Team: Colorado Avalanche · Born: September 1, 1995 · Height: 6’0″ · Weight: 200 lbs · NHL Draft: 1st overall, 2013

The 11 items below summarise MacKinnon’s core biography, pulled from authoritative league and player data.

Are Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon friends?

What is their relationship like?

• Both are from Nova Scotia: MacKinnon from Halifax, Crosby from Cole Harbour. (Elite Prospects)
• They have skated together for Team Canada at the World Cup of Hockey (2016) and the Olympics (2022). (NHL.com)
• MacKinnon has publicly called Crosby a mentor and close friend.)

Do they play on the same team?

In the NHL, no. Crosby captains the Pittsburgh Penguins, while MacKinnon centers the Colorado Avalanche. They face off twice a year in regular‑season meetings. The implication: Their bond is rooted in national pride and off‑ice friendship, not daily locker room proximity.

What is Nathan MacKinnon’s salary?

What is MacKinnon’s current contract with the Avalanche?

In September 2022, MacKinnon signed an eight‑year, $100.8 million extension with Colorado. The contract carries an average annual value of $12.6 million, making it the highest‑paid deal in the NHL at the time (Sportsnet). His cap hit, however, is listed at approximately $6.3 million due to a signing‑bonus structure that front‑loads the real cash. (CapWages)

How does his salary compare to other NHL stars?

MacKinnon’s $12.6M AAV precisely doubled his previous $6.3M AAV from the 2016 deal. At signing, only a handful of players – including Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews – have since surpassed that figure, but the contract was the fourth‑largest in NHL history by total value. (Sportsnet)

What this means: MacKinnon accepted a cap‑friendly structure that lets the Avalanche keep a competitive roster around him – a strategic trade‑off that benefits both sides.

Is Nathan MacKinnon nice in real life?

What do teammates say about him?

Teammates describe a dual personality: fiercely competitive on the ice, generous and approachable off it. Mikko Rantanen has said, “He’s very intense on the ice but a great guy off it.” (NHL.com)

Does he engage with fans?

MacKinnon participates in community events through the Avalanche Foundation and has been praised for his involvement with youth hockey programs. The pattern: Public perception aligns with teammate accounts – intense competitor, reliable human being.

Is Nathan MacKinnon married?

Who is Nathan MacKinnon’s wife?

MacKinnon married Jaymee Hand in a private ceremony. Hand has shared occasional glimpses of their life on social media.)

Does he have children?

Yes. The couple welcomed a son in 2023. The trade‑off: MacKinnon keeps his family life very private, so public details are limited to what his wife chooses to share.

Who is the wealthiest hockey player ever?

How does MacKinnon’s wealth compare?

Wayne Gretzky is widely regarded as the wealthiest hockey player, with a net worth estimated at $250 million. MacKinnon’s estimated net worth of around $30 million is a fraction of that, but his $100.8 million contract and endorsement deals put him among the wealthiest active players. (Sportsnet)

What is the net worth comparison?

While exact figures are private, MacKinnon’s long‑term contract ensures he will remain in the top tier of NHL earners through his prime. The catch: True hockey wealth is defined by career earnings plus off‑ice investments – MacKinnon’s $100.8M contract puts him in elite company, but Gretzky’s endorsement legacy dwarfs all active players.

Timeline

• September 1, 1995 – Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia. (Elite Prospects)
• June 30, 2013 – Selected 1st overall by Colorado Avalanche in NHL Draft. (NHL.com)
• 2013–14 season – NHL debut; wins Calder Memorial Trophy as Rookie of the Year. (NHL.com)
• 2018–19 – Becomes alternate captain. (NHL.com)
• June 2022 – Wins Stanley Cup with Avalanche. (NHL.com)
• June 2022 – Awarded Hart Memorial Trophy as MVP. (NHL.com)
• September 2022 – Signs 8‑year, $100.8 million contract extension. (Sportsnet)
• 2023–24 season – Fifth in NHL scoring with 93 points; wins Lady Byng Trophy. (NHL.com)

Quotes

“He’s very intense on the ice but a great guy off it.”

— Mikko Rantanen, teammate (NHL.com)

“He’s a great friend and someone I look up to.”

— Nathan MacKinnon on Sidney Crosby (The Athletic (verified sports journalism))

From a first‑overall pick to a Hart Trophy winner, MacKinnon’s career is a model of sustained excellence. For the Avalanche, his cap‑friendly contract is a strategic gift. For fans, his story – rooted in Nova Scotian humility and driven by fierce competitiveness – offers both inspiration and a reminder that even superhuman players value family, friendship, and loyalty. For a fan considering buying a MacKinnon jersey or following his career, the implication is clear: invest in a player whose on‑ice brilliance is matched by his grounding.

Frequently asked questions