NHL 21: Five potential cover athletes
![LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 03: William Karlsson #71 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring a third-period goal, his 100th career NHL goal, against the New Jersey Devils during their game at T-Mobile Arena on March 3, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Devils 3-0. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 03: William Karlsson #71 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring a third-period goal, his 100th career NHL goal, against the New Jersey Devils during their game at T-Mobile Arena on March 3, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Devils 3-0. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/d86f9de936daec69ea53301a2adeb7fd664668ae651ec17171c138225d9934c8.jpg)
Nathan MacKinnon
Speaking of young guns, Nathan MacKinnon is part of the reason why the Colorado Avalanche are even the team that they have become to this day. This season Nathan MacKinnon has played 69 games and has 93 points (35 Goals, 58 Assists).
The Colorado Avalanche has turned their franchise in a complete 180 degrees. From a team that was so bad only a handful of years ago, now they are a team that other teams hate seeing on the schedule. Most of the reason is due to this man.
Some people might argue that his teammate Mikko Rantanen is better than MacKinnon and if they had to choose someone from the avalanche it should be Rantanen. Wrong. Mikko Rantanen wouldn’t be the player he is today if it wasn’t for Nathan MacKinnon. I think EA Sports is going to recognize how much MacKinnon helped turn the Colorado Avalanche franchise around. As soon as they think about that and realize what he has done, I think he can be a major front runner for the NHL 21 cover athlete.