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Top 3 Colorado Avalanche Skaters in 2023-24

These 3 skaters were incredible for the Colorado Avalanche in 2023-24.

By Justin Bonhard

Colorado Avalanche v Dallas Stars - Game Five
Colorado Avalanche v Dallas Stars - Game Five / Sam Hodde/GettyImages
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After another successful and dominating regular season, the Colorado Avalanche were once again at the top of the Western Conference. After finishing with a record of 50-25-7, their third straight year with 50+ wins, their season ended with a second-round loss to the Dallas Stars.

Without their captain, Gabriel Landeskog, they still managed to put together a stellar season. That happened, with the impeccable performance of three particular skaters, who each left their mark on last season. 

Let’s see who did just that. 

1. Nathan MacKinnon

Never mind the best skater on the Avalanche, try one of the best skaters in the National Hockey League. Nathan Mackinnon showed how valuable he was, hitting new career highs last season in every single major category. 

MacKinnon potted 51 goals, the first time reaching the 50-goal plateau in his career, and added 89 assists to amass 140 points. He only trailed Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov at 144 points for the most in the league. 

It is quite simple, 140 points is more than a small impact on a season, it is game-changing. Not to mention, MacKinnon’s blazing speed and superior skating ability helped push him above the rest of the pack. 

2. Cale Makar

In a vast majority of hockey fan’s opinions, defenseman Cale Makar is the absolute best blue-liner in the NHL. You can make the case for a few others, but there's no doubt that fans firmly believe he stands tall above the rest. 

With 21 goals and 69 helpers, Makar was an unstoppable force this past season. Only Roman Josi of Nashville and Quinn Hughes of Vancouver had more goals and assists than Makar, respectively. He set a new career high with those assist numbers. 

What he brings to the Avalanche offense, and how he can close the widest of gaps on defense, prove that he is invaluable to this team. With a very bright future ahead of him, it wonders the mind, just how many awards the 25-year-old will amass when it is all said and done. 

3. Mikko Rantanen

Rounding out our list of best Avalanche skaters is forward Mikko Rantanen. With 42 goals and 62 assists, he was among some of the league’s best this season. 

However, all eyes are on Rantanen now, as he is up for a contract at the end of the 2024-25 season. As though he has been a point-per-game player for almost all of his Avalanche career, his current salary of $9.25 million should be raised to well over $10-$12 million.