The Avalanche re-signed forward Jonathan Drouin for one year, the team announced on Monday. The deal is worth $2.5 million.
Drouin enjoyed a resurgence in Colorado last year, reunited with former junior teammate and friend Nathan MacKinnon. He had 19 goals, 37 assists and 56 points in 81 games. Both his assist and point totals are career highs.
This was always the best fit for the player. While the one-year term is a bit of a surprise, it’s wise for Drouin to remain in a situation that works both on and off the ice. At just $2.5 million, general manager Chris MacFarland locked up a big piece of the Avs’ forward group at a bargain price.
But why just a year? Several reasons — ones that make sense for both the Avalanche and Drouin.
It’s no secret, Drouin wants to be here. It’s also no secret that he’d like to hitch his wagon to MacKinnon for years to come. Drouin is just 28 years old and in the prime of his career. But Colorado’s top-six group, if healthy and available, is already locked up. With both Gabriel Landeskog and Valeri Nichushkin expected back at some point next season, Drouin could find himself on the third line.
Of course that all depends on Nichushkin’s ability to get cleared by the NHLPA in November and the players in the room welcoming him back. And there’s also a giant question mark about Landeskog’s effectiveness when he does eventually return. Will he be better suited for the third line? Will he be able to stay healthy? It’s anybody’s guess.
All of these reasons are why Colorado was wise to only give Drouin a year. It allows them to asses his fit on the team as they await the returns of the aforementioned forwards before committing long-term.
And as for Drouin… A long-term deal with Colorado is the end goal. But with the Avs already so close to the cap ceiling, it’s wise for Drouin to play out another year at a bargain price before signing a more reasonable AAV next summer. The cap is expected to rise by roughly $5 million for the 2025-26 season.
