Nathan MacKinnon & Nuggets star could join legendary company tchieu

It isn't a secret that Nathan MacKinnon had a remarkable 2023-24 season. The Colorado Avalanche superstar put together the best season of his career thus far, posting new career highs with 51 goals, 89 assists, and 140 points in 82 games. 

MacKinnon also made history during the season, becoming the first NHL player to have two 19-point streaks in the same campaign. He was also remarkably consistent, posting at least one point in a league-leading 69 games.

 

Due to MacKinnon's outstanding season, he is rightfully a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league's MVP. However, if he wins, he won't be the first athlete playing for a team in Colorado to be named MVP in their league.

Earlier this week, Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic was named the NBA's MVP for the third time in the last four seasons. 

With Jokic being named the NBA's MVP, Colorado/Denver is halfway there to accomplishing an immensely rare feat. If MacKinnon wins the Hart Memorial Trophy, it will be just the second time in sports history that a duo from the same city is named NBA MVP and NHL MVP in the same year. 

So, who's the only duo to ever do this? Sports legends Wayne Gretzky (Los Angeles Kings) and Magic Johnson (Los Angeles Lakers) back in 1989. 

If MacKinnon and Jokic accomplish this, they will be in legendary company.