Latest news with #MacKinnon
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Is Nathan MacKinnon Underpaid?
According to The Athletic's NHL's 10 best contracts, Colorado Avalanche superstar is underpaid by a large margin. That could be true. MacKinnon is currently the third-highest paid player in the NHL, earning $12.6 million per year. This past season, the 29-year-old posted 116 points (32 goals, 84 assists) in 79 games played. The year prior, which was his best to date, saw MacKinnon play all 82 regular season games with a career-high 140 points (51 goals, 89 assists). In other words, MacKinnon was playing out of his mind. The two other players who make more money than him are Auston Matthews ($13.2 million AAV), and Leon Draisaitl ($14 million AAV). Over the past two seasons, Matthews has a combined 185 points. MacKinnon, on the other hand, has 256 and has a Stanley Cup championship, as well as a Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded to league MVP, on his résumé. Draisaitl has posted 106 points the last two seasons and has scored at least 100 points per year in six of the last seven years. He has also won a Hart as well as a Maurice Rocket Richard Trophy, which is awarded to the player who scores the most goals in a single season. What emerges from this comparison is not so much evidence that MacKinnon is undercompensated, but rather a clearer indication that the Maple Leafs are allocating a disproportionate premium to Matthews—though, given the organizational turmoil in Toronto, such a decision is expected. As the salary cap continues to rise, MacKinnon's contract will certainly represent a bargain for the team. How Much Should MacKinnon Get Paid? The Athletic believes MacKinnon's contract should be worth $18.3 million AAV based on their valuation model. While that figure exceeds his existing contract by a significant margin, it gains credence when contextualized within the NHL's projected salary cap trajectory. The NHL circulated a memo to teams in January that the salary cap would jump to $95.5 million for the upcoming season from $88 million. This will follow with subsequent jumps in the cap to $104 million in 2026-27 and $113.5 million in 2027-28. Let's say the cap remains at $113.5 million when MacKinnon's contract expires at the end of the 2030-2031 season. That $18.3 million would account for roughly 16% of the cap. MacKinnon will be 35 years old at the time of his free agency eligibility in 2031. Historically, players at this stage of their careers—regardless of prior dominance—rarely receive contracts reflecting full-market value, particularly not over long durations. For reference, even Alex Ovechkin, the greatest goal scorer ever, accepted a relative discount in 2021, re-signing with the Washington Capitals on a five-year, $47.5 million contract rather than exploring more lucrative options in unrestricted free agency. Ultimately, the precise valuation of MacKinnon's next contract will hinge on several interdependent factors: his on-ice production, health, leadership impact, and the state of the Avalanche as a whole. Should he maintain or exceed his current output, a salary in the $18 million to $19.5 million range would be consistent with his cap-adjusted market value. Conversely, if his performance regresses to a level that is still impactful but no longer elite, a more modest contract in the range of $13.5 million to $15 million AAV may be warranted—particularly if Colorado seeks to preserve cap flexibility for a younger squad. We also have to think about the upcoming Cale Makar extension. His current six-year contract runs through the end of the 2026-27 season, with a $9 million AAV cap hit. The cap should settle at $104 million in 2026-27 and let's say Makar gets eight years at $16.5 million. So two players will make up for about 32% of the cap give or take. In summary, while it is premature to definitively project MacKinnon's future earnings, The Athletic's valuation is right on the money should he continue to perform as one of the league's premier forwards deep into his thirties.
Vancouver Sun
30-07-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
B.C. author leads Canadian class-action against Facebook, Nvidia over AI practices
The B.C. co-author of the '100 Mile Diet' has launched class-action lawsuits against four tech giants, including Meta and Nvidia, alleging they have used his copyrighted content to train their artificial intelligence software without compensating him or other authors. James Bernard (J.B.) MacKinnon, who also wrote 'The Once and Future World,' is the representative plaintiff for four lawsuits that seek to represent all holders of Canadian copyrights of works used by the companies to train their various large language models, according to the notice filed in B.C. Supreme Court. The lawsuits are similar to others launched in the U.K. and the U.S., where they have had mixed success and are continuing. Stay on top of the latest real estate news and home design trends. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Westcoast Homes will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The defendants in the Canadian actions are Nvidia Corp., a $4.2 trillion company that makes semiconductors and graphics processors; Meta Platform, a $1.3 trillion company that owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp; Anthropic, founded by former members of Open AI and has and Google LLC among its investors; and Databricks, a private data cloud company startup in the AI space. The allegations are similar for each, that the companies relied on huge online libraries of books to train artificial large language models, according to the claim against Nvidia, the latest to be filed. The claim against Anthropic was filed in May, against Meta Platforms in April and against Databricks in July, all in B.C. Supreme Court. Each of the four class-action lawsuits must be certified by the courts before they proceed and none have yet got that far. Instead of relying on books in the public domain or licensing the books to use to train its models, Nvidia 'instead relied on a pirated dataset found online that it knew contained unlicensed copyrighted material,' according to the lawsuit. And it 'made no effort to pay the owners of these copyrights to obtain or use their works' and ignored and concealed the copyright protection, it said. To build a large language model, a form of AI software designed to comprehend and generate natural language, it has to be fed huge amounts of text from a variety of sources, from which it 'learns' language, according to the lawsuits. Nvidia used and copied a dataset called the Pile, which contained a database called Books3, which was taken from Bibliotik, a mix of fiction and nonfiction books, it said. It also said Bibliotik contains about 196,640 books, including those by 'Canadian authors with active copyright protection,' including MacKinnon's. 'Nvidia downloaded the Books3 dataset without paying a licensing fee to the plaintiff or class members, and used it to train the Nvidia LLMs,' alleged the proposed class action. That helped grow Nvidia into the 'world's largest company by market capitalization,' said the lawsuir. The lawsuit also alleges that Nvidia 'used software to remove copyright management information from the books' and knew 'copyrighted e-books are sold with technological protection measures that prevent unauthorized copying' that it ignored and removed so the LLM itself didn't know it was built from copyrighted material. The claim says Nvidia benefited from the infringement and the class members suffered a loss because their copyrights were infringed and the integrity of their works harmed. It removed their choice to have their works included in the LLMs, which 'pose a threat to the market for the creative written work' they produce. 'Nvidia determined that, rather than attempt to obtain a license, it would violate copyright and face whatever consequences arose,' the claim alleges. The claim seeks remedies that include an injunction preventing Nvidia from infringing copyrights, an accounting of profits and restitution to the owners and punitive damages for the 'repeated, willful and knowing infringement' of their rights because Nvidia's actions were 'high handed, arrogant and displayed reckless disregard' for their rights. None of the allegations have been proven in court. A spokeswoman by email said Nvidia has no comment.
Time of India
26-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
NHL's most explosive player, Nathan MacKinnon, is chasing greatness with the Colorado Avalanche
It all started in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Here a young first stepped onto the ice; with dreams bigger than his skates; born on September 1, 1995. MacKinnon was raised in a hockey-loving family and began skating at the age of three. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now His talent quickly outpaced local competition, earning him a spot at the elite Shattuck-St; Mary's prep school in Minnesota is a known pipeline for future stars. Returning to Canada, he joined the Halifax Mooseheads in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Here he led the team to a Memorial Cup title and became the top-ranked prospect heading into the NHL draft. Nathan MacKinnon's TOP GOALS of 2024-25 Drafted to dominate: MacKinnon's rise in Colorado The Colorado Avalanche wasted no time making history when they selected Nathan MacKinnon first overall in the 2013 NHL Draft. As the Calder Memorial Trophy winner for rookie of the year, he instantly lived up to the hype. A decade of domination ensued. MacKinnon became one of the NHL's most dangerous forwards, renowned for his lightning-fast speed, deadly shot, and unparalleled puck control. Nathan MacKinnon's Top 10 Highlight-Reel Plays On and off the ice: the $30 million superstar MacKinnon's impact stretches beyond goals and assists; off the ice, he has become the face of brands like Adidas, Bauer, and Gatorade. Further enhancing his market appeal, yet, despite his success, he lives modestly. Residing in a stunning 7,000-square-foot mansion in Denver and driving cars like the Porsche 718 Cayman and Jeep Wrangler. Leadership, legacy, and life beyond the rink Though fierce in competition, MacKinnon is known for being grounded and intensely focused; his leadership in the Avalanche locker room is well-documented. With teammates citing his dedication and drive as infectious, off the ice, he's involved in charity work, youth hockey programs. And maintains strong ties to his hometown. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He's also a key figure for Team Canada, representing his country in multiple World Championships and Olympic appearances; in his personal life, MacKinnon keeps things private. We're Watching Greatness | Peak Access FAQs Which team does Nathan MacKinnon play for? The Colorado Avalanche. How old is Nathan MacKinnon? He is now 29 years old. Is Nathan MacKinnon a Stanley Cup victor? Indeed. He played a part in the Colorado Avalanche's Stanley Cup victory. Nathan MacKinnon is the epitome of contemporary NHL greatness. Also, redefining what it means to be a top player in the fast-paced game of today. That too with his quick-release wrister and coast-to-coast rushes. Also Read:
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
NHL shockers: 7 Superstar players who've never worn the 'C' despite leading like captains
Nathan Mackinnon of Canada (Credit: Getty Images) In the fast-paced world of the NHL, not all leaders wear the 'C' on their jerseys. Whether it's their on-ice dominance, locker room presence, or playoff heroics, each of these superstars embodies what it means to lead. Despite never being officially handed the captaincy, they are the heartbeat of their teams and the kind of players teammates rally behind. Nathan MacKinnon's TOP GOALS of 2024-25 Nathan MacKinnon runs the Colorado Avalanche without the letter Nathan MacKinnon is the fire behind the Colorado Avalanche's success, a Hart Trophy winner and Stanley Cup champion. MacKinnon sets the tone every game, though Gabriel Landeskog wears the 'C,'. MacKinnon's competitive edge, intense leadership, and relentless drive make him the spiritual leader of the team. Even when Landeskog was sidelined, MacKinnon didn't get the title, just the respect. Evgeni Malkin has led the Pittsburgh Penguins through every battle Evgeni Malkin's loyalty to the Pittsburgh Penguins has never wavered. Playing in Sidney Crosby's shadow hasn't stopped him from becoming one of the franchise's cornerstones. His emotional play, playoff dominance, and three Stanley Cups say it all. While Crosby officially leads the team, Malkin has always shared the leadership responsibilities in the locker room and on the ice. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You To Read in 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Drew Doughty powers the Los Angeles Kings with passion Drew Doughty has been the soul of the Los Angeles Kings' defense for over a decade. With two Stanley Cups and a Norris Trophy, Doughty plays with intensity, honesty, and a never-back-down mentality. While Anze Kopitar wears the 'C,' it's Doughty's voice and energy that often spark the Kings, especially in high-pressure moments. Drew Doughty's Journey Back to the Ice | Black & White presented by Spectrum Leon Draisaitl quietly leads behind Connor McDavid's spotlight Leon Draisaitl is one of the NHL's most consistent offensive forces. In any other market, he'd likely be a captain already, but in Edmonton, he plays second fiddle to Connor McDavid; still, Draisaitl's elite talent and playoff performances. And a composed demeanor speaks volumes; he's the kind of leader who doesn't need the 'C' to command attention or respect. Bonus shoutouts: Kucherov, Kane, and Pastrnak deserve captaincy credit Nikita Kucherov has helped build the Tampa Bay Lightning's dynasty with his brilliance. With Steven Stamkos now gone, many see Kucherov as Tampa's true heartbeat. Patrick Kane, who led the Chicago Blackhawks' Cup runs, has carried that presence to the Detroit Red Wings. David Pastrnak has long been Boston's most dynamic player; his joy and passion lift the entire room, and with Brad Marchand out, his captaincy moment might soon arrive. Nikita Kucherov's Sickest Plays Of The 2023-24 NHL Season The captaincy in the National Hockey League may be stitched onto jerseys, but leadership runs deeper. For Nathan MacKinnon, Evgeni Malkin, Drew Doughty, Leon Draisaitl, Nikita Kucherov, Patrick Kane, and David Pastrnak, the absence of a letter has never meant a lack of influence. They are the leaders their teammates look to, even without the official title. Also Read: Five big NHL stars' names headline potential shakeups in the upcoming trade as teams look ahead to major roster decisions Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Nathan MacKinnon stuns Cole Harbour hockey camp with surprise visit, igniting big-league dreams
When NHL superstar showed up at Cole Harbour Place on Friday, the energy in the rink was electric. The 29-year-old Colorado Avalanche forward returned to his roots in the Halifax suburb to meet kids at the Cole Harbour Hockey School—a moment that instantly turned an ordinary summer camp into an unforgettable experience. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now For 160 young players aged 5 to 12, it wasn't just a chance to see their hero up close but a powerful lesson that greatness can grow from familiar ice. MacKinnon's visit wasn't promised, making the surprise all the more special and memorable. How Nathan MacKinnon's surprise visits fuel Cole Harbour's NHL dreams Cole Harbour, a suburban community in Halifax, Nova Scotia, has earned a reputation as a breeding ground for hockey talent, producing none other than Nathan MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby. On Friday, that legacy felt tangible as MacKinnon walked back into the rink where his own journey began. For Jon Greenwood, camp director and lead instructor, the visit brought back memories of coaching MacKinnon at the peewee level. Speaking at Cole Harbour Place on Friday, Greenwood shared: "It's hard to say at that age, 'Oh this is going to be an NHL superstar,' but we certainly knew the tools were there, and most importantly … the drive and competitiveness were there to continue." 's determination was clear early on, and Greenwood reflected on how it still surprises them today. The camp itself has grown quickly since its launch in 2021 with just 94 players, now filling 160 spots each year as families eagerly sign up. It's more than just drills and games. Kids work on dryland training, shooting skills, and building lasting friendships on and off the ice. For 10-year-old Rosie Tanner, who plays defence for the Metro East Inferno during the school year, the week was packed with learning and fun. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "It was fun and exciting," Tanner said at Cole Harbour Place on Friday after meeting MacKinnon. "He told us about hockey and how he played for the Colorado Avalanche." Her favorite parts of camp? "Learning new things about hockey and making new friends," she said. She especially loved "stopping people from scoring or going on breakaways." But the camp also sets high expectations. As her mother, Hanneke Tanner-van Gelderen, recalled with a laugh: "When she went the very first time, the week after she had Mitch's Soccer Camp, and she goes … 'Do you think Messi is going to be there?'" Nathan MacKinnon's visit creates lasting impact at Cole Harbour hockey camp Nathan MacKinnon's visits aren't guaranteed every summer, but when he's in town, Greenwood said he often tries to stop by. This year, his appearance ended the week on a high note, with kids leaving proudly clutching group photos and autographed pictures. "Everybody left with a nice group picture and an autographed picture of him," Greenwood said at Cole Harbour Place. "It's a pretty exciting finish for the week." For the young players, seeing a hometown hero who once trained on the same ice is more than a thrill—it's a promise that their biggest dreams might just start right here at home. Also Read:
