Avalanche fans shocked: Meet the player poised to fill Jonathan Drouin's shoes next season
Photo credit: Stan Szeto / USA TODAY Sports
The Colorado Avalanche seem poised to part ways with Jonathan Drouin when free agency opens on July 1st.
This comes after two years after Drouin signed to a one-year deal worth $825k. He's expected to earn a higher salary on the open market than what he made during his two years with Colorado.
Avalanche have already found a replacement for Drouin.
Graham Tiedtke from Mile High Sticking writes that with only $1.2 million in cap space available, the Avalanche have limited options for replacements. As a result, it's most logical for them to rely on internal players to fill the roles left by departures like Drouin.
William Dufour is one of the players who might get the opportunity to step up for the Avalanche.
"Dufour was included in the package that brought Brock Nelson to Colorado in exchange for Calum Ritchie, Oliver Kylington, a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, and a conditional third-round pick in 2028. (Kylington was then sent to the Anaheim Ducks)." -Tiedtke
Dufour was selected by the New York Islanders in the fifth round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He has appeared in just one NHL game during the 2022-23 season but has found more success in the AHL, spending three years with the Bridgeport Islanders, New York's affiliate team.
Over 169 games with Bridgeport, he recorded 44 goals and 47 assists across three seasons. Since being traded to Colorado, Dufour has played 12 games with the Eagles, tallying one goal and three assists.
"The 23 year old Dufour obviously needed a fresh start somewhere other than New York, as he was never really given a fair shot, as he only appeared in one game with the Islanders, in the 2022-23 season. His statistics have been on a decline over the years, but maybe that is due in part to a system fit, or lack thereof. It's possible that all he needs is a chance in a new place." -Tiedtke
Dufour might participate in the Avalanche's development camp, giving us a chance to see a preview of what he could become at the NHL level.
Source:
Mile High Sticking
Is Jonathan Drouin's replacement already in the Colorado Avalanche organization?
Mile High Sticking
Is Jonathan Drouin's replacement already in the Colorado Avalanche organization?
Previously on Avalanche Insider
| POLL | ||
JUIN 27 | 28 ANSWERS Avalanche fans shocked: Meet the player poised to fill Jonathan Drouin's shoes next season Will the Avalanche lose Jonathan Drouin in free agency this summer? | ||
| yes | 21 | 75 % |
| no | 7 | 25 % |
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