The first day of the NFL season is finally here, which means that *checks notes* Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche are starting to gear up for another run at a Stanley Cup. Avalanche hockey is just over a month away, and preseason action is set to kick off in just a couple of weeks. While there has been no mandatory team work yet, there have been some voluntary skates taking place.
The sweaters are on and the ice is cold down at the Family Sports Center, and MacKinnon has been getting some work in with his fellow teammates ahead of training camp. To the surprise of no one, he still looks to be in midseason form with his hands that are as quick as ever.
Nathan MacKinnon is downright filthy. @MileHighHockey #goavsgo pic.twitter.com/leFcfTyKnb
— Ryan O’Hara (@OHaraSports) September 4, 2025
This next beautiful sequence is sponsored by Nathan MacKinnon’s hand speed. @MileHighHockey #goavsgo pic.twitter.com/VgJnU6wjcT
— Ryan O’Hara (@OHaraSports) September 4, 2025
Despite the fact that he’s now heading into his 13th season as an NHL player with the Avalanche, the Dogg doesn’t look like he’s lost a step. His Canadian buddy Sidney Crosby set a career-high for games played in his 13th go-around and has followed it up with quite a few elite seasons, so don’t think that Father Time is going to catch up to Mackinnon any time soon.
Plenty of other notable faces were present Thursday, such as new acquisitions Gavin Brindley and Brett Burns, along the young buck in Taylor Makar.
Neither Martin Necas nor Valeri Nichushkin were present, but remember, these skates are not mandatory. MacKinnon didn’t seem to be bothered by not having his main first-liners alongside him, as he continued to make play after play.
The final play of this drill.. Brock Nelson feeds Nathan MacKinnon and the “Dogg” gets a sick goal. #goavsgo @MileHighHockey pic.twitter.com/olILLGwl2L
— Ryan O’Hara (@OHaraSports) September 4, 2025
Practice for the rookie tournament is set to kick off a week from today, with games scheduled to take place against Utah and Vegas on Friday, Sept. 12, and Sunday, Sept. 14, respectively. Training camp is set to kick off on Thursday, Sept. 18, with the first preseason games taking place in split-squad fashion on Sunday, Sept. 21.
Regular season action for the burgundy and blue begins on Oct. 9 when they travel west to take on the LA Kings.
