Loser: Nathan MacKinnon
Feb 3, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars defenseman John Klingberg (3) checks Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) during the first period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
I do believe that MacKinnon’s sophomore slump is not as bad as it is widely said to be. However, it is impossible to deny that his season was neither as good as last year’s nor as good as NHL fans had hoped it would be.
MacKinnon has done many things right this season. But too often he just looked lost in the offensive zone. His full-stops that he likes to do as soon as he crosses the blue line did not work at all. And that seemed to be his only move a lot of the time.
I am not worried about MacKinnon. He is still incredibly young (19) and has lots of time to improve. If he had not had a rookie-season like the one he did have, nobody would even call this season bad. But regarding the fact that he did have an outstanding season as a rookie, MacKinnon is one of the losers of this year.