The only thing hotter than the Avalanche’s on-ice play of late across Colorado sports betting has more to do with the team store than the front office.
That’s because a pair of Avs, in center Nathan MacKinnon and defenseman Cale Makar, are among the most searched for NHL players on Google Trends. It’s understandable, given the outsized impact that each had on Colorado’s run to the Stanley Cup in 2022 and the Avs’ strong performance this season.
BetColorado.com utilized Google Trends to look at the most searched NHL jerseys over the past season by utilizing the phrase “player name jersey” to predict who will be among the league's top 10 jersey sellers at the end of the season.
If you like research items like this, stick with BetColorado, also home to the best Colorado sportsbooks.
Below is the projected top 10 in NHL jersey sales after the current season.
Why MacKinnon & Makar Are So Popular
MacKinnon and Makar are among the most popular members of the Avalanche, thanks in part to their longstanding ties to the franchise. They're also to thank for the team having +550 odds at Caesars Colorado Sportsbook to repeat as Stanley Cup champs, behind only the Boston Bruins (+400).
Both were drafted by Avs’ front office leader, Joe Sakic, with MacKinnon going first overall in the 2013 NHL Draft. Makar was picked by Colorado with the fourth overall pick of the 2017 draft.
Each has rewarded Sakic for his faith, with MacKinnon scoring at least 20 goals in eight of his first 10 seasons and adding 455 assists in 685 games with the club. Makar has shouldered the load on the blue line for the franchise since Day 1.
This year, MacKinnon is breezing towards another 80-plus point season, with 22 goals and 49 assists in 47 games played.
Makar, meanwhile, has 13 goals and 32 assists, to go with a +6 rating as he looks to follow up his first Norris Trophy with another in 2023.
Both are fan favorites, with deep ties to the Avalanche franchise and recent contract extensions in place that will keep each in Denver for the foreseeable future.
MacKinnon signed a 7-year, $44.1 million extension this offseason, and Makar reupped with the franchise after their championship run as well, inking a 4-year, $37 million deal before the 2022-23 season began.
Now, both are being embraced by fans of the franchise, and jersey sales are expected to go through the roof in the months ahead as the Avs look to repeat as Stanley Cup champions.
Stay tuned throughout the NHL playoffs as well for the top Colorado sportsbook promos.
