MacKinnon, along with Cale Makar and Devon Toews, had the opportunity to play for Canada in a best-on-best men’s tournament for the first time at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off. He had the chance to play with his childhood idol-turned-friend Sidney Crosby in games that matter for the first time. He also didn’t let down 8-year-old Nathan MacKinnon.

Weeks after the Colorado Avalanche traded away Mikko Rantanen, star Nathan MacKinnon issued an honest admission on a key difference in Colorado's game with Martin Necas.