Fans left guessing after Avalanche star forward gets surprise spotlight amid free agency rumours
Photo credit: Jerome Miron / USA TODAY Sports
Jonathan Drouin was another Colorado Avalanche player who had difficulty staying healthy over the course of the season. He joined the team in the summer of 2023, seeking a fresh start in Denver.
Drouin's status with the team remains uncertain. It's unclear what the organization's opinion of him is, where they envision his role, and crucially, how much they believe he should be paid.
Avalanche star forward gets surprise spotlight amid free agency rumours.
Brenna Vogt from Hockey Mountain High writes that in contrast to his debut with the Avalanche, where he missed just three regular-season games, this year was a much tougher ride for Drouin. A series of injuries sidelined him for nearly half of the season, significantly limiting his time on the ice.
"When he was in the lineup, the former Moosehead was productive. He frequently played alongside MacKinnon. Time has not diminished their undeniable chemistry. When Drouin was on the second line or below, he often struggled. In 43 regular season games, Drouin tallied 11 goals and 26 assists." -Vogt
Drouin and MacKinnon's close bond was evident nearly every day at practice, often seen occupying half the ice to work on one-timers together. Drouin credited MacKinnon with helping him quickly adapt to the Avalanche's system.
However, with captain Gabriel Landeskog expected to return to full-time duty next season, Drouin may find himself without a spot in the team's top-six forward group.
"Unfortunately, Drouin played a lot of time on the top power play unit. He would go through several games without seeing a point during the special teams' play. The team's issue, not limited to Drouin, caused Coach Ray Bennett's firing." -Vogt
Drouin's wrist shot was a valuable asset for the top line, as he often positioned himself in the slot to capitalize on scoring chances. His playoff experience could also prove beneficial, if he manages to secure a spot on the roster moving forward.
Drouin is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, and his injury-plagued season could play a significant role in whether the Colorado Avalanche decide to extend him a contract offer.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 15 | 24 ANSWERS Fans left guessing after Avalanche star forward gets surprise spotlight amid free agency rumours Do you think the Avalanche need to re-sign Jonathan Drouin this offseason? | ||
| yes | 19 | 79.2 % |
| no | 5 | 20.8 % |
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