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

[CobraAcesS]

You guys should start learning Quebec swear words right now, you're most likely gonna need them by October. lol

I have enough American ones from watching Burakovsky. I'll manage.

I don't think Drouin signs here unless he has assurances from MacKinnon that he gets first crack on the top line.

I also have to believe that's what MacFarland spoke to Nate about.

I don't think he needs to be there either if Ryjo comes out with a chip, and so does Nuke. Talk about two of the easiest guys to play with when they're on.

 

[hughdreamz]

Cogs is back!

 

[John Mandalorian]

If you're going to dance around 10 games in 2019-20, and his overall production as a forward as well as ignore that we only have three wingers you can legit make an argument should automatically be ahead of him.

Considering the point you started with is that he has to earn a spot on the top line.

Pound sand dude. I'm good on the conversation. Enjoy the season.

Not dancing around anything. .7 PPG without Kucherov in a deep playoff run isn't nothing. But you also can't ignore the rest including what's happened since.

 

[cccoltsicehockey]

For under a million, that’s excellent.

I don’t want to sound like too much of a homer, but I love what CMac and Sakic are doing this off-season.

I see two spots for him in this lineup:

Option A:

Drouin - MacKinnon - Nichushkin

Option B:

Drouin - Colton - Wood

I see no reason to not try him best to MacKinnon to start the year. Shit, you know they’ve got some familiarity.

Then if that fails, throw him next to our two hard checking dogs on the 3rd line and let him make the finesse plays, while they do the heavy lifting.

While we start with option A I really hope we give Foudy a shot to be the other wing on the third line.

 

[The Abusement Park]

Not dancing around anything. .7 PPG without Kucherov in a deep playoff run isn't nothing. But you also can't ignore the rest including what's happened since.

I mean that's also ignoring the fact that the Canadies were shoehorning a W into the 2C role. Drouin certainly has his problems but his time in MTL was problematic all around.

 

[El Travo]

Yeah, it'd be stupid to sign Drouin and not give him first dibs on playing with MacKinnon.

 

[Colorado Avalanche]

Great deal, low risk, high upside. Let's goooo

 

[shadow1]

10 years in the making, we'll finally get to see Drouin and MacKinnon together in the pros.

For all the other flaws in his game, Drouin hasn't had trouble scoring on some pretty low scoring Montreal teams. I think there's a legitimate chance he will have a career season in 2024.

With that said, the risk is still huge due to health history and the possibility Drouin could fall out of favor with the coaching staff due to issues in his overall game. But I'm optimistic this could be a bargain signing, similar to when the club traded for Burakovsky or signed Nichushkin.

 

[Hasbro]

Lottery ticket.

 

[CobraAcesS]

Lottery ticket.

For him, and us, I hope he blows the doors off. The dudes had a rough ride, and it isn't all his fault.

But I was rooting for Greg too lol.

I called Nuke right, and Makar, so I'm not at zero lol.

 

[Foppa2118]

Destiny fulfilled. At this price and term it's very low risk with some good upside.

Gonna be interesting where he slots into the lineup. Gotta keep those feet moving with Bednar Jo. Do that and you'll have success with the skill on this team. Would love to see him figure it out here.

 

[CobraAcesS]

Destiny fulfilled. At this price and term it's very low risk with some good upside.

Gonna be interesting where he slots into the lineup. Gotta keep those feet moving with Bednar Jo. Do that and you'll have success with the skill on this team. Would love to see him figure it out here.

If Mack vouched for him.. I don't think Bednar is his first worry lol.

I'm kinda joking, kinda not lol.

 

[hawk30]

Guy will be paid less than Newhook. That's kinda nuts.

 

[bromando]

Low risk with good upside. Need to try these things out in our position. We really always get our guy

 

[Lucky Luke]

For all the other flaws in his game, Drouin hasn't had trouble scoring on some pretty low scoring Montreal teams.

I can understand the Avs taking a low-risk chance but please don't make him into what he hasn't been.
He has scored 10 measly goals in his last 136 regular season games.
That represents 1.6M$ US per goal scored.
If that sums up as not having trouble scoring, I don't know what to say.

 

[JoeSakic13]

Thanks, I needed someone new to hate on with JTC and NewJost gone

NewDrou?

 

[Killer Orcas]

Not gonna lie expected this to happen sooner or later curious if him and Mack find something together again. Low risk high reward signing at it's best.

 

[Sea Eagles]

Resilience, resilience, resilience, character, determination and a fresh start. People forget this is what he has in him:

 

[RoyIsALegend]

Find somebody who smiles at you the way Drouin smiles at MacK and never let them go.

 

[The Kingslayer]

Find somebody who smiles at you the way Drouin smiles at MacK and never let them go.

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If Mackinnon cant make Drouin love hockey again nobody will. If this dont work out its off to Zona and then off to Europe.

 

[MarkT]

I like the low risk contract, but as a Habs fan, I'm not particularly excited about Drouin with the Avs. He's the kind of guy who gives you one good play that gets you all excited, then absolutely disappears for entire games. Worst still, he likes to have the puck on his stick, so when he's not on, he's also hurting his entire line. Additionally, he's not a guy you want in the bottom six, so you can't just drop him down the lineup if his play drops off. Lastly, I've witnessed him making some of the most bone-headed defensive plays I've ever seen.

I know he and MacKinnon are buddies and they'll probably try him on the top line, but I'd predict he's our 13th forward before long. I hope I'm wrong though. It would be a great redemption story if he turns things around here.

 

[double5son10]

What caused his to be out so much the in Montreal? Injuries? Healthy scratches? just asking.

There were concerns before he was traded to Montreal, as he'd already been suspended by TB for failing to report to the A. Then was moved for an absolute stud in Sergachev, before Serg had even had a chance to show what he could do. For Habs fans it was McDonough for Gomez all over again. Then compounded by being put in a bad spot by management when he came to Mtl as management/coaches tried to make him a centre, a position he is not at all cut out for. He's not really a play driver but at his best is a fine complimentary piece, and the defensive zone is a foreign land to him. Got down on himself and suffered from depression and insomnia. Took leave of the team in '21 and missed the run to the Finals. The following year he started well enough but any chance at a rebound ended here:



Ovie hit ended his season 1/3 of the way in with a wrist injury and I don't believe he's ever fully recovered from it. He was always a pass first, perimeter player but that hit cemented things. He's still mostly a good passer, with occasional jaw-dropping passes good and bad. Will drive you crazy w/ drop passes to no one on zone entries, rarely plays the middle of the ice and has zero shot because of the wrist. Often seems timid. Doesn't get to the front of the net, doesn't win puck battles. Can work the power play from the wall or point because he does have vision. Still has above avg. speed and edge work, so the occasional odd-man rush will get you excited for him. I thought St. Louis would be a good coach for him, but Dru got himself benched for a game last year for being late to team meeting. Seems like a nice enough guy, and he always seemed to have the support of his teammates, he just failed to launch.

Hopefully the change of scenery, Mac and the realization this is his last chance at the NHL before maybe Switzerland or an early retirement will do him good. Anyone thinking there's an elite player waiting to spread his wings needs to check themselves. He's a loooong way from his Halifax days.
10 goals, 40 assists would be awesome to see. I wish him well.

 

[MarkT]

Another thing to add with Drouin is he sat out the entire miracle playoff run due to mental health issues. Temper your expectations everyone.

 

[John Mandalorian]

Another thing to add with Drouin is he sat out the entire miracle playoff run due to mental health issues. Temper your expectations everyone.

Hockeyreference says he played 10 games.

 

[MarkT]

Hockeyreference says he played 10 games.

That's not correct. He didn't play a single game in the 2021 playoffs. I think you're looking at the previous year.