Nathan MacKinnon still has one year left on his contract, with a $6.3 million salary cap hit to the Colorado Avalanche – making him one of the biggest bargains in pro sports right now. But to retain the services of MacKinnon on his next contract is going to cost a LOT more.

But just how much? NHL sources tell Colorado Hockey Now that the MacKinnon camp is expecting the star center to become the highest-paid player in the league on his next contract, which is currently under negotiation.