Jonathan Drouin has probably the most fascinating profession trajectories on the market. The third-overall decide within the 2013 NHL Draft, Drouin was as soon as considered in the identical ballpark as Halifax Mooseheads teammate and first-overall decide Nathan MacKinnon.
For a time, it seemed like he might stay as much as the distinctive hype, however a excessive stage of manufacturing by no means materialized. But right here we’re, 10 years into his NHL profession, and Jonathan Drouin might have an opportunity to lastly make “the leap” and earn himself a long-term contract.
Drouin’s Begin in Tampa Bay and Down Years in Montreal
Drouin didn’t actually do a lot throughout his first two seasons within the league. He displayed a knack for playmaking however hadn’t actually loved a “breakout” season. Lastly, in 2016-17, Drouin had his breakout. He achieved career-highs in objectives (21), assists (32), and factors (53) at simply 21 years previous.
Simply when it seemed just like the Tampa Bay Lightning had hit on one other gifted younger participant, they swung a blockbuster commerce, transport Drouin to the Montreal Canadiens together with a conditional sixth-round decide in 2018) for defenseman Mikhail Sergachev and a conditional second-round decide in 2018.
The transfer shook the league as each have been regarded to be extraordinarily promising. Sergachev grew to become a shutdown defender subsequent to Victor Hedman, ultimately serving to the Lightning to a pair of Stanley Cup victories.
Drouin, in the meantime, had a pair of stable seasons to start his tenure in Montreal. Sadly, accidents started to take their toll. From 2019-20 by the 2021-22 season, Drouin would swimsuit up in simply 105 whole video games. Even worse, his manufacturing and ice time have been down. Many felt that the Drouin experiment had formally come to an finish with one other disappointing season in 2022-23.
Drouin’s 2023-24 Rebound
A wholesome scratch throughout a lot of his closing yr in Montreal, Drouin quietly signed a one-year, $825,000 contract with the Colorado Avalanche previous to the 2023-24 season. It was an inexpensive depth signing on the time, the hope being that he may rekindle among the magic he as soon as had with MacKinnon because the Avs seemed to get again to the Stanley Cup Closing.
Associated: Colorado Avalanche Gained’t Be Contenders This Season
Drouin seemed invigorated in his third cease within the NHL. He performed 79 video games – essentially the most since he performed 81 video games in 2018-19 – and even set career-highs in assists (37) and factors (56). Although he may not be the dynamic offensive expertise many predicted, he had proven life once more.
Maybe extra importantly, Drouin grew to become a trusted two-way participant. His 18:11 common time on ice was essentially the most in his decade-long profession. He did effectively away from the puck, fought more durable alongside the boards, and have become a stable middle-six possibility the Avalanche had been desperately searching for.
Taking the Subsequent Step
Although there are different members of the Avalanche with arguably extra to show, this shouldn’t be thought-about a comeback for Drouin. Resting on his laurels now may value him a possibility that took him a very long time to earn again.
There are elements that present he will be even higher than he was in 2023-24. For starters, captain Gabriel Landeskog probably received’t be again to start the season and there’s no official timetable for his return. Likewise, winger Valeri Nichushkin’s standing with the group remains to be up within the air as he’s in Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA Participant Help Program.
The Avalanche will flip to Drouin to develop into a stable top-six scoring possibility of their stead. They aren’t on the lookout for him to be the potential 100-point participant anymore. His contributions on each ends of the ice have been observed however many marvel if it’s a one-off or if he has turned the nook.
Taking part in on a one-year, $2.5 million contract, Drouin must show himself once more. If the Avalanche are going to contend, each within the Central Division and the Western Convention, they will want the revamped Drouin to be at his greatest. If he’s, the Avalanche could have a really fascinating choice to make going into 2025.
