Drafted by Nashville but left unsigned as of June 1, 2025, an unrestricted free agent, MacKinnon earned an invitation to the Boston Bruins’ 2025 Rookie Camp and Prospects Challenge. MacKinnon is expected to return to the QMJHL as a 20-year-old and play with the Moncton Wildcats during the 2025-26 season. Better known for his steady and reliable defense, he is limited offensively; thus, MacKinnon is not on the fantasy radar. Still, an NHL franchise could look at him as organizational depth defenseman in the minors after he finishes his QMJHL career.

MacKinnon was selected 83rd overall by the Predators.

MacKinnon’s season on the offensive end was lackluster, as he only put up 23 points in 61 games and didn’t improve upon that in the Halifax Mooseheads’ deep playoff run, earning only two points in 20 games.

MacKinnon is one of the rare draft-eligible QMJHL defensemen whose defensive habits are well ahead of his offensive tools. A punishing rush defender with solid in-zone habits to boot, the 6-foot-3 blue-liner is hard to play against and occupies dangerous ice very well in his own zone, looking to tie up anyone who comes within arm’s reach. His hockey sense on both sides of a puck is a concern, as he can miss good options in favour of a dump-in or lose his check in rotating offensive zone cycles, but one-on-one, few defend as well as he does. MacKinnon has a lot of development left to go through in all three zones, but his foundation of defensive habits combined with his size, reach and intensity make for an alluring package in the mid-to-late rounds.