Colorado Avalanche: Core Player Goals for the 2018-19 Season

DENVER, CO - APRIL 18: Gabriel Landeskog (92) of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates his 3-1 Avalanche goal with teammates against the Nashville Predators during the third period of the Predators' 3-2 win on Wednesday, April 18, 2018. The Colorado Avalanche hosted the Nashville Predators. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - APRIL 18: Gabriel Landeskog (92) of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates his 3-1 Avalanche goal with teammates against the Nashville Predators during the third period of the Predators' 3-2 win on Wednesday, April 18, 2018. The Colorado Avalanche hosted the Nashville Predators. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
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DENVER, CO – MARCH 18: Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche waits for a face-off against the Detroit Red Wings at the Pepsi Center on March 18, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Red Wings 5-1. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)

Nathan MacKinnon

Goals: 39
Assists: 58
Shots: 284
Shooting percentage: 13.7%
Faceoff percentage: 41.92%
CF%: 50.9%
CF% Rel: 4.9

Nathan MacKinnon had a career season that led him to being a finalist for the Hart Trophy. Across the boards, his numbers were phenomenal. However, we want him to keep striding forward, not regress. So, let’s create those goals:

  1. Score 40 goals
  2. Improve faceoffs to 50%
  3. Win the Hart Trophy

I couldn’t believe how close MacKinnon got to scoring 40 goals last season — just one shy. His previous career-high was 24 goals his rookie season, but he blew that out of the water already. So, yes, I’d like to see MacKinnon crack that 40-goal mark.

If there’s one area where MacKinnon lagged, it was in faceoffs. The entire team did. I’d like to see him get to 50%, which is just dead even.

Nate was our MVP last year. No disrespect to Taylor Hall, but all Avs fans think MacKinnon was robbed. As MacK went, so went the team — and they made the playoffs after that dreadfully embarrassing season. That’s the definition of MVP. If he throws another performance like last year, he should win the hart Trophy.

The most important goal: Don’t regress.