Nathan MacKinnon is hands down one of the best players in the NHL. Widely regarded as the 2nd best player in the game, you likely won't find anyone who ranks MacKinnon outside of the top 5. Now it appears that MacKinnon wants to be paid as the best player in the game, and naturally so.
Over the past 6 years, MacKinnon has played on a contract that pays him $6,300,000 per year. For 5 of those years MacKinnon has outperformed the value of his deal. MacKinnon has been applauded for taking a discount on this deal, despite signing at above market value at the time of the signing.
To become the highest paid player in the league MacKinnon would have to surpass the $12,500,000 currently made by Connor McDavid. With MacKinnon's contract set to expire July 1st of next year, the Avalanche are officially on the clock.