Confirmed with Link: Avs sign Jonathan Drouin (1 year, 825k)

[Sea Eagles]

I have no doubts JD will come back with a vengeance. Besides, we don't want him to do TOO well, we need to be able to re-sign him for the next few seasons on the real cheap hahaha. It will clique, I promise you all. I'm still thinking 50-60 points isn't out of the question once he starts humming.

 

[Foppa2118]

Might as well post this here, since most probably haven't seen Bednar's press conferences recently. Like I mentioned previously, he's not overly concerned with Drouin's production, and his scratch was more about systems issues, and message sending for the team. That's why he scratched both Drouin and Tatar instead of just one. It wasn't about either one specifically.

"Obviously there's disappointment whenever you....players want to play right? I tried to ensure them that it's more an overall team view for me. It's not just that I'm super disappointed in their play or something. I feel like both those guys have been ok. We've talked about both of them. Drouin's a little snake bit, but he's creating some chances. Tatar has been good in stretches, not so good in others, a little bit of inconsistency there. But both guys are working hard, I love their attitudes and all that, but I touched on it....Tufte, MacDermid, they're part of our team too, so I have to take a big picture approach, and in order to do that, someone's got to come out."

"I don't want them (the new guys) feeling like they're not contributing, because they're not on the score sheet every night. And I feel like some of them do. So we'll work though that. Help them as much as we can and they'll help each other as much as they can. And I think it's just a matter of time before you see things with our new guys start to gel a little bit."

 

[GoNordiquesGo]

Yep. I said he would be done after 10 games

I think this is the 25th time you've mentioned it in the last few days

 

[Balthazar]

Allan Walsh is pretty quiet these days

 

[The Merchant]

He just doesn't possess enough skill to justify how soft he is. Even if he does finally start producing a bit he's gonna get caved in come playoff time.

 

[Puckstop40]

It was fun for a little bit, then the season started.

 

[Perratrooper]

We’re just passed the quarter point in the season and I think Drouin has looked like one of our better players the last month or so. He’s skating hard, playing tenacious and at moments even playing physically. His passing abilities are phenomenal and his movement on the powerplay has helped the first unit play less stagnant which has been a breath of fresh air.

I’ve been one fan who has always wanted Drouin on the Avs so I am bias in this matter, but for him to be paid a hair above minimum he’s provided more than his money’s worth so far. If the second line could replace Tatar with a solid scoring winger or flip Rantanen and Drouin I think he could reach 50 points this season (if he stays healthy).

 

[Tommy Shelby]

If he truly has had a "clicked" moment, I'll be happy.

Just skate hard, and look like you're giving a shit in Bednar's system and we cool.

 

[Foppa2118]

The key has been he's playing with pace. He's keeping his feet moving, but more than that, he's not taking strides at 50-60%, he's putting 80-90% effort into every stride.

That's Avalanche hockey and that's why he's having more success.

He's playing great hockey right now. Playing very well defensively and working hard. First man in on the forecheck a lot. Backchecking as well as anyone on the team and working hard in the D zone. Generating chances off the rush because he's skating well though the neutral zone. Making great quick passes to set up line mates. And he's just shooting when he has the opportunity, instead of looking pass all the time.

When Val gets back they should put him with Nate and Drouin to do the dirty work, and be a net front presence, and that line may take off.

 

[BobRossColton]

I'd like to see him get a few more goals this month but he's definitely learning the bednar way of hockey

 

[The Kingslayer]

I'd like to see him get a few more goals this month but he's definitely learning the bednar way of hockey

yah. Liked his game last night. He was quick on pucks and worked his tail off. Unfortunate on the ENG but I thought Drouin was the Avs second best forward after Nathan

 

[Perratrooper]

Since November 22nd Drouin has played 14 games and has 9 points (3g and 6a). The 3 goals is more than what he scored all of last year. For reference in his first 15 games he had 4 points. While those numbers are far from fantastic, he has been producing at a second line level over that stretch (53 point pace).

I’m going to continue to be on the Drouin train until he gives me a reason not to, but he’s been great. I’d be curious to see what numbers he can put up when we grab Lindholm.

 

[Ceremony]

The man can see a pass. It's a shame his career started the way it did, he could probably have managed a lot more than he has if he came into this team as a 19/20 year old.

 

[BrickNHL]

Love how hard he's been working this season. Last game when he broke up that 2 on 1 with his hard backchecking was beautiful. Also there was a play on the powerplay where he hustled to the halfboards to stop the puck from clearing out of the zone.

 

[Linds]

If he keeps playing the way he has in the past 15 games, the Avs should re sign him

 

[dahrougem2]

If he keeps playing the way he has in the past 15 games, the Avs should re sign him

As much as I have enjoyed his play, if he keeps this up he probably earns a 4x4 contract as a UFA from some team. We can't afford that when we need a 2nd line centre AND have Landeskog returning.

 

[PAZ]

As much as I have enjoyed his play, if he keeps this up he probably earns a 4x4 contract as a UFA from some team. We can't afford that when we need a 2nd line centre AND have Landeskog returning.

I don't think Drouin is after a big payday at this point in his career. I could see him signing another 1-2 year contract with us for $1.5-2 mil.

After that, i'm sure he'll sign one more big contract, but he seems to genuinely enjoy playing hockey again. He doesn't seem like the type that can easily adapt or deal with pressure.

 

[dahrougem2]

I don't think Drouin is after a big payday at this point in his career. I could see him signing another 1-2 year contract with us for $1.5-2 mil.

After that, i'm sure he'll sign one more big contract, but he seems to genuinely enjoy playing hockey again. He doesn't seem like the type that can easily adapt or deal with pressure.

He'll sign with a quieter U.S based team, then.

These guys have small timeframes to make this kind of money. His career at one point was in jeopardy. He had to take this minimum contract, I bet he can cash in if he plays well.

 

[PAZ]

He'll sign with a quieter U.S based team, then.

These guys have small timeframes to make this kind of money. His career at one point was in jeopardy. He had to take this minimum contract, I bet he can cash in if he plays well.

The dude went through his own hell in Montreal. He made bank there, but it destroyed him.

I'll be surprised if he chases the money next year. He's out of the limelight, has no pressure, get's to play and be supported by Mack, and has Bednar who's great at working with reclamation projects like Drouin. There's just so many things that check the boxes here.

If he didn't make so much i'd be more inclined to agree.

 

[dahrougem2]

The dude went through his own hell in Montreal. He made bank there, but it destroyed him.

I'll be surprised if he chases the money next year. He's out of the limelight, has no pressure, get's to play and be supported by Mack, and has Bednar who's great at working with reclamation projects like Drouin. There's just so many things that check the boxes here.

If he didn't make so much i'd be more inclined to agree.

I mean it is a lot to us, yes. But 37 million you have to subtract anywhere from 50%-60% for taxes, agent fees, escrow, union dues, training, etc.

Then you have to hope he has saved a majority of his money.

Otherwise, his "retirement" money isn't there yet. He's on the back end of his career with his age. These guys know that contracts aren't always going to be around.

Not saying money is the ONLY motivation but it is a huge one. These guys will never make this kind of money in their lives again unless they become NHL coaches or GMs.

 

[niwotsblessing]

I mean it is a lot to us, yes. But 37 million you have to subtract anywhere from 50%-60% for taxes, agent fees, escrow, union dues, training, etc.

Then you have to hope he has saved a majority of his money.

Otherwise, his "retirement" money isn't there yet. He's on the back end of his career with his age. These guys know that contracts aren't always going to be around.

Not saying money is the ONLY motivation but it is a huge one. These guys will never make this kind of money in their lives again unless they become NHL coaches or GMs.

I don't know about the rest you guys, but I could live on $18.5mil in the bank, thank you very much.

 

[dahrougem2]

I don't about the rest you guys, but I could live on $18.5mil in the bank, thank you very much.

I easily could, too. But 18.5 million can also be spent quickly on houses, cars, vacations, helping out family, luxury clothing/jewelry, etc.

These guys go from modest/above average living to the top 1% of human beings. Purchases can be made quickly and savings can erode.

 

[Linds]

I think he reisgns for 1 to 2 years for 1- 2m. No way he leaves his buddy Nate after finally finding some success

 

[Tralfamadore]

I think he reisgns for 1 to 2 years for 1- 2m. No way he leaves his buddy Nate after finally finding some success

He hasn't finally found success though. He's still on pace for the worst season of his career apart from his 1st. He's played better as of late but he's always been a streaky player.

 

[PAZ]

I mean it is a lot to us, yes. But 37 million you have to subtract anywhere from 50%-60% for taxes, agent fees, escrow, union dues, training, etc.

Then you have to hope he has saved a majority of his money.

Otherwise, his "retirement" money isn't there yet. He's on the back end of his career with his age. These guys know that contracts aren't always going to be around.

Not saying money is the ONLY motivation but it is a huge one. These guys will never make this kind of money in their lives again unless they become NHL coaches or GMs.

I agree it’s not retirement money, but financially it can still make plenty of sense if he stays with the Avs for another year or two. He’s gotten better as the season goes on, and I still think there’s plenty of room for him to grow. He never lost the talent, he lost his confidence.

He’ll be ~30 if he stays with the Avs for another year or two. If he becomes a 60 pt forward and a line driver, he could earn more than signing with a different team at the end of the season.