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Colorado Avalanche Sign Former 3rd Overall Pick to One-Year Deal

By Richard Jelinek

NEWARK, NJ - JUNE 29: (L-R) Center Nathan MacKinnon and left wing Jonathan Drouin skate with players from the Hockey in Newark youth program and the New Jersey Rockets at the AmeriHealth Pavilion inside the Prudential Center on June 29, 2013 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - JUNE 29: (L-R) Center Nathan MacKinnon and left wing Jonathan Drouin skate with players from the Hockey in Newark youth program and the New Jersey Rockets at the AmeriHealth Pavilion inside the Prudential Center on June 29, 2013 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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The Colorado Avalanche have signed forward Jonathan Drouin to a one-year contract. Drouin comes to the Avalanche after six seasons with the Montreal Canadiens. He was drafted third overall in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning. The signing comes at a time where Drouin looks to reinvent himself into a legit NHL scorer and having superstar Nathan MacKinnon as a teammate will surely help.

Colorado Avalanche teammates Drouin, MacKinnon to rekindle magic?

Drouin found little success with the Lightning as he found success, not the success most had hoped for. He was then dealt in a move that sent him to the Canadiens for defenseman Mikhail Sergachev. Drouin played well in his stint with the Canadiens, but it was bitter sweet in Montreal as he took a small break from hockey to deal with mental health issues. His career in Montreal was good but he still has something to prove.

During the 2022/2023 season, Drouin scored only two goals but added 27 assists for 29 points in 58 games. In his NHL career during the regular season, Drouin has 77 goals and 165 assists for 242 points. during the playoffs, he has six goals and 15 assists for 21 points in 35 games.

Now, he begins a new chapter in Colorado, where he reunites with former teammate MacKinnon. The two played junior hockey with the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). In two years together, they combined for 140 goals and 255 assists for 395 points (Drouin 242, MacKinnon 153). They had one of the best all-time lines in the QMJHL,  along with forward Martin Frk. They would go on to be the best scoring line during their time in the QMJHL, until they ultimately parted ways with the NHL Draft.

Drouin hopes to recreate that magic with MacKinnon, who may or may not be the center on his line. Regardless, having him present may help with Drouin’s  confidence. After MacKinnon helped in getting him to the Colorado Avalanche, the two should be able to create havoc on the opposition once again. Drouin still has the talent to be a star and is still young enough to find that scoring touch once again. If he is not paired with MacKinnon, he may be paired with newly signed center Ryan Johansen who, like Drouin, was brought in for depth and scoring.

Drouin can make a difference on this Colorado Avalanche team. He may need a change of scenery to recapture that scoring touch and could be used in many ways to help out in different areas. Drouin may not have been used to his full potential in Montreal, as he would not be the same person after he returned from his mental health break. He was not used in the same way he was before that and affected his performance. Now freshly signed and a new lease on life may get him back to the way he was with MacKInnon before. Drouin could be a steal if used properly and he cannot wait to make an impact on the Avalanche.

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