One-hit wonder or rising star? Avalanche top prospect faces big questions ahead of next season
Photo credit: Ashley Potts / Colorado Eagles
Colorado Eagles defenseman Jacob MacDonald enjoyed a standout season in the AHL, matching his career-best point total of 55, a mark he last reached seven years ago.
Can Eagles' fans expect the same production from MacDonald again this season?
Avalanche top prospect faces big questions ahead of next season.
Brennan Vogt from Mile High Hockey writes that looking ahead to the 2025-26 season, MacDonald will enter the second year of his two-year, two-way deal with the Colorado Avalanche, though this isn't his first stint with the organization.
MacDonald initially joined the Avalanche and their AHL affiliate, the Eagles, during the 2019-20 season. He made his NHL debut with Colorado on January 31, 2021, appearing in 33 games that year. The following season, however, suited up for just eight NHL contests but showcased his versatility by playing as a fourth-line forward, carving out a role as a valuable utility player for the team.
"In the 2022-23 season, MacDonald saw more action and played an additional 33 games before being traded to the San Jose Sharks for Ryan Merkley and Matt Nieto. Martin Kaut also went to San Jose with MacDonald. He would spend the rest of the season with the Sharks and bounce between the Barracuda and Sharks in 2023-24." -Vogt
MacDonald delivered a standout campaign with the Eagles, setting a new AHL record for goals by a defenseman with 31. He also led all blueliners in both goals and points league-wide. Capping off his dominant season, MacDonald was honoured with the Eddie Shore Award, the AHL's equivalent of the Norris Trophy, recognizing him as the league's top defenseman.
"As the lineup stands right now, there will not be much help for MacDonald and his production next season. Late in the season, Colorado paired MacDonald with John Ludvig, but rumors say the RFA is going to Europe. Calle Rosen often saw time with MacDonald and benefited from playing together. Like Ahcan, Rosen is an unrestricted free agent. Sean Behrens will return from a knee injury that kept him out all of last season. The former University of Denver Pioneer could throw a spark into the back end, but he plays the same side as MacDonald." -Vogt
The Oregon native is expected to remain a key presence on the Eagles' blue line, second only to Sean Behrens, and will likely be leaned on heavily once again.
Colorado's system emphasizes not only forward depth but also strong contributions from the back end, which should continue to benefit MacDonald, even if it doesn't match the breakout levels of his previous campaign.
Previously on Avalanche Insider
| POLL | ||
JUIN 19 | 27 ANSWERS One-hit wonder or rising star? Avalanche top prospect faces big questions ahead of next season Do you think Jacob MacDonald will get called-up to the Avalanche next season? | ||
| yes | 24 | 88.9 % |
| no | 3 | 11.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
