from Nicholas J. Cotsonika of NHL.com,

Nathan MacKinnon is intense. It has helped make him the player he is, one of the best in the NHL. Three times in the past four seasons, he has been a finalist for the Hart Trophy, which is awarded to the most valuable player in the League.

But coming off the Colorado Avalanche's loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Second Round, the center seems …

Relaxed? Happy?

"I think we just need to let it go and move on," MacKinnon said at the NHL/NHLPA Player Media Tour in Chicago last month. "It's tough to play when you're angry for seven months. I'm in a good spot. I'm enjoying my life and excited for the season."

That mindset might be key for MacKinnon and the Avalanche as they shoot for the Stanley Cup again in 2021-22, starting with their regular-season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at Ball Arena on Oct. 13 (10 p.m. ET; TNT).

"I think for us as a team, it's just remaining [even-keeled]," defenseman Cale Makar said at the Player Media Tour. "I think when something doesn't go our way, we just … we kind of need to make sure that we stay calm and keep that even keel. And even going into the season, obviously you're not going to win the Stanley Cup in game one or month one. It's just trusting that process."

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