Nathan MacKinnon To Miss Avalanche's Season Opener

The Colorado Avalanche will be without Nathan MacKinnon for their season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks this Wednesday. General manager Joe Sakic announced that the 26-year-old center has tested positive for COVID-19.

Let me correct this: COL GM Joe Sakic announces that Nathan MacKinnon tested positive for COVID. He is asymptomatic, will miss Wednesday’s game — Saturday is not yet determined
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 12, 2021

MacKinnon has blossomed into one of the top talents in the entire NHL, so he will be missed. In 48 games last season, he scored 20 goals and had 65 points. Over the three previous seasons, he had at least 90 points in each of them. This include a 95-campaign in just 69 games during the 2019-20 season.

Thankfully, MacKinnon is currently asymptomatic. He also has not been ruled out for the Avalanche's Saturday night game against the St. Louis Blues, so Colorado may be able to get him back shortly.