The Colorado Avalanche have re-united franchise face Nathan MacKinnon with his QMJHL partner in crime. According to TVA Sports’ Renaud Lavoie, the Avalanche have signed 2013 third-overall pick Jonathan Drouin. Peter Baugh of The Athletic is reporting that the contract will be a one-year, $825K deal.
This signing is a major opportunity for Drouin, who could potentially end up once again on a line with MacKinnon. Wrist surgeries have done significant damage to Drouin’s ability to be a goal-scoring threat, as reflected by his mark of two goals in 58 games this past season.
But Drouin clearly has some gas left in the tank as a playmaker, as he finished the season with a 41-point scoring pace despite that extremely low goal total.
He’s still a capable playmaker, and in the right situation, one wonders how much more he could produce. He’s always had tantalizing offensive potential, and is in the thick of his prime at 28 years old. At a $825k cap hit, this could be Drouin’s perfect station for a career renaissance.
If he doesn’t manage that, though, and ends up in-and-out of the lineup due to injuries as he’s done over the past several seasons, it’ll be a disappointing outcome but not a catastrophe given the affordable cap hit he’ll occupy.
If it’s a league minimum deal, why not.
The chemistry they had here in Halifax was uncanny. I grew up watching Kurri and Gretzky and what they had together. The Sedins also come to mind. These 2 played like that here. Hopefully they get the opportunity to rekindle that
@Joe Carters walkoff – It has the possibility of good stuff, but Drouin’s been languishing in MTL, so here’s hoping he finds lightning in a bottle at altitude.
I hope so. Drouin has been languishing ever since he got drafted. While I hope he finds magic playing with Mack, at this point in his career, he probably is who he is.
I like this
If at the league minimum why not low risk high return
Had a feeling this was coming and he will get paid again by some schmuck next year
“Dear Jonathan,
The Tampa Bay Lightning wish to thank you for the role you played in helping us win two Stanley Cups. Of course, you weren’t here, when we won them, but we couldn’t have done it without Sergachev. Thanks again, and best of luck in your future endeavors”
Signed,
The Tampa Bay Lightning
@KRB – Here’s the extra 5 thumbs up for that! Love it!
I love it! Low risk and I doubt he all of a sudden unlocks everything, but if he does then it’s huge!
Drouin is lazy and hates physical contact.