Nathan MacKinnon’s résumé already reads like a Hall of Fame induction speech. A Hart Trophy?
Check. Calder Trophy?
Got it. Lady Byng?
That too. He’s crossed the 1,000-point milestone, lifted the Stanley Cup, and has been the engine behind one of the NHL’s most dynamic teams in recent years.
But there’s still one accolade that could elevate him from superstar to certified legend - Olympic gold.
That’s the one box left unchecked for almost every elite player of this generation. The only exception? Sidney Crosby.
Crosby’s legacy is the gold standard - literally and figuratively. Three Stanley Cups, two Olympic golds, a World Cup of Hockey title, and a cabinet full of personal hardware.
He’s done everything there is to do in the sport. And while MacKinnon has already carved out an impressive path of his own, winning gold at the upcoming Milano-Cortina Olympics would push him into a different echelon - the kind reserved for all-time greats.
MacKinnon’s recent performance at the 4 Nations Face-Off showed he’s more than ready for that stage. He didn’t just show up - he dominated, earning MVP honors in a tournament loaded with elite talent. It was a clear reminder that when the lights are brightest, MacKinnon shines.
But Olympic gold is different. It’s rare.
It’s elusive. And it’s one of the few things that separates the great from the legendary.
For players like Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid - generational talents in their own right - the missing piece is still a Stanley Cup. Their individual brilliance is undeniable, but in hockey, greatness is measured in banners and medals. Until that team success arrives, they’ll remain just outside the circle of immortals.
MacKinnon, on the other hand, already has that Cup. He’s been the heartbeat of a championship team, the kind of player who takes over a playoff series and bends it to his will. Add an Olympic gold medal to that mix, and suddenly, you’re looking at a career that mirrors Crosby’s in all the right ways.
And here’s the thing - MacKinnon’s not done. He’s still in his prime, still pushing the pace every night, still one of the most electrifying forces in the league.
There’s time for more Cups. More milestones.
More moments. But even if he doesn’t add another title, Olympic gold would be the final piece that completes the puzzle.
In hockey, legacies aren’t just built on skill - they’re built on winning. That’s what separates the Hall of Very Good from the pantheon of legends. And for MacKinnon, Milano-Cortina could be the moment he steps fully into that rarefied air.