The 2024 NHL season, punctuated by disappointment for Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche after a second-round loss to the Dallas Stars, also witnessed a beacon of triumph.

At 28 years old, MacKinnon’s stellar 140-point season finally earned him the coveted Hart Memorial Trophy, a recognition that had long eluded him despite multiple close calls.

“Even the first year I was up for the Hart, I had 50 points the year before,” said MacKinnon. “I never thought I was going to even be nominated for anything. Once you get there, you really want to win it.”

MacKinnon’s journey to the Hart Trophy has been one of perseverance and relentless effort. Year after year, now a four-time nominee, he found himself among the finalists, only to be thwarted by injuries or edged out by deserving competitors.

“Being a competitive guy, you want to win anything you can,” he said.

The 2023-24 season, however, was different.

MacKinnon’s 140 points, with 51 goals and 89 assists, not only set a new single-season franchise record but also solidified his status as one of the league’s most formidable players.

It’s also how he walked away with the Ted Lindsay Award—presented to the “Most Outstanding Player” in the NHL as voted by fellow members of the NHLPA.

“Honored that the boys in the league really like my game,” MacKinnon admitted.

It really says something to be recognized by the media and his peers. Winning both together reinforced the special season he had.

His consistency, resilience, and unparalleled skill culminated in a year that left no room for denial.

His impact on the ice was historic. Leading all scorers in even-strength points (92), ranking first in shots on goal (405), and finishing second in power-play points (48), he was a force to be reckoned with. His 35-game home point streak was the second-longest in NHL history—he created memories in Ball Arena that will last a lifetime and bumped elbows with Wayne Gretzky’s records along the way.

He recorded two 19-game point streaks—the longest two such streaks in the NHL this season—making him the first player in NHL history to register two different point streaks of at least 19 games in the same year.

The race for the Hart Trophy was fiercely contested, with Nikita Kucherov and Connor McDavid posing significant challenges. Kucherov, with 144 points, set a single-season franchise record for the Tampa Bay Lightning and led the NHL in scoring, earning his second Art Ross Trophy. His 100 assists marked him as one of the league’s elite playmakers, and his overall performance was nothing short of spectacular.

Connor McDavid, the reigning Hart Trophy winner, also had a remarkable season with 132 points. His ability to register consecutive 130-point campaigns and maintain a points-per-game rate of 1.52, the third-highest in NHL history, underscored his extraordinary talent—but we all knew that. McDavid’s pursuit of a fourth Hart Trophy was a testament to his consistency and dominance in the league.

MacKinnon’s path to the Hart Trophy has been marked by significant milestones and moments of brilliance. Since his NHL debut in 2013, he has steadily ascended. His early achievements, including the Calder Memorial Trophy for rookie of the year, set the stage for a career defined by excellence. He won the 2020 Lady Byng Award and finished fifth in Hart Trophy voting last season. Despite facing injuries and playoff heartbreaks, MacKinnon’s determination never wavered.

His breakout 2017-18 season saw him become a finalist for both the Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award, establishing him as one of the league’s premier players. Over the years, he continued to elevate his game, leading the Avs to multiple playoff appearances and clinching his first Stanley Cup in 2022.

MacKinnon’s commitment to improvement paid dividends as he emerged as a true leader and game-changer for his team.

Winning the Hart Trophy is a monumental achievement for MacKinnon. It not only recognizes his outstanding individual performance but also acknowledges his invaluable impact to the Colorado Avalanche. His journey from a promising rookie to an NHL superstar is a testament to his hard work, resilience, and unwavering dedication to the sport.

This accolade also places MacKinnon in the same company as Joe Sakic. It solidifies his legacy as one of the greatest players in franchise history and cements his place among the NHL’s elite.

“Whenever you’re in the same company as Joe [Sakic], it’s cool,” MacKinnon acknowledged. “He’s here tonight, and it’s fun to experience a lot of things in my career with him.”

In a season filled with challenges and steep competition, MacKinnon’s extraordinary performance stood out, earning him the recognition he long deserved.

Anybody following along already knew that MacKinnon was special, but now his individual contributions to the sport are further etched in hockey history… and it doesn’t look like he’s planning to slow down any time soon.

“Honestly, we’re really close,” MacKinnon said of the team’s window. “I think our team is a championship-caliber team.”