Players’ feedback in front of their former supporters always generates a lot of emotion. We only have to remember that the very stoic Shea Weber had difficulty holding back his tears during his return to Nashville, in the Canadian uniform.
It should be no different with the return of Jonathan Drouin to Montreal on Monday evening, in a Colorado Avalanche uniform.
It was six eventful years, from his arrival with a bang in a major transaction, to his involvement with the CHUM Foundation, including physical and psychological injuries that forced him to step away from the team more often than not. he wouldn’t have wanted it.
Those six years are expected to be encapsulated in a video that will be shown on the giant screen during a commercial break, which is usually when the player in question goes through a range of emotions.
“I can’t say how I’m going to experience this,” commented Drouin, surrounded by microphones at his locker after the Avalanche’s morning skate. It happens in the moment, you can’t control it. I don’t know if I’ll be emotional. I loved my six years here, the support, I have a lot of supporters who supported me. I thank them for that. There are moments, like the first star [en 2019], who were beautiful. »
Because yes, despite the more difficult times, but fans polarized about him, Drouin only remembers the good from his 321-game stint in Montreal.
“I said it: my last two years in Montreal, after my two injuries, I rediscovered the pleasure of playing hockey, of having fun. Martin [St-Louis] helped me a lot with that last year, to let go of what I don’t control and focus on my team. Here it was fun to find Nathan [MacKinnon]even [Artturi] Lehkonen. It’s the fun to find a couple guys you know. »
He also found some on Sunday evening, going to dinner with some former CH teammates, notably his good friend Josh Anderson.
Goals
PHOTO JEROME MIRON, USA TODAY SPORTS ARCHIVES VIA REUTERS CON
From left to right, we recognize Nathan MacKinnon (29), Mikko Rantanen (96), Jonathan Drouin (27), Valeri Nichushkin (13) and Devon Toews (7).
Drouin arrives with the wind at his back, with 16 points in his last 15 games and more than 20 minutes of usage time in the last seven games. This trend is expected to continue, as Valeri Nichushkin is expected to be out for some time among those around the Avalanche. The team is expected to provide an update this afternoon.
That said, with 24 points in 41 games, he averages 0.59 points per game, which is not much better than his pace of 0.53 points per game in his last three years in Montreal. The big difference is that he’s already scored 10 goals, as many as in 136 games over the same three seasons, the result of healed wrists and some pretty good teammates to fuel him.
Or, in his own words, “It sure helps playing with MacKinnon and [Mikko] Rantanen, you collect points by not doing much.
“I take my shots, I take my chances, I don’t try to make the extra pass,” described Drouin. When you receive passes from Makar, from MacKinnon, you often have a chance to score afterwards, because they find you at the right time. I try to shoot when it’s time. I had a really good summer, didn’t have any problems. It helped. »
Drouin said he was even “embarrassed” when he arrived in Denver. “You arrive in a place, you want to show that you are a good person, to make a good pass. I’m down to just playing my gamemake my decisions and live with them,” said number 27.
“He’s healthier than before,” added Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar. I wanted him to trust his skills, not only be a passer, but also be able to shoot and think like a scorer when the chance presented itself.
“The tendency when you play with Mac and Mikko is to let them shoot. But often, they make plays and you’re the one who gets the shot. You have to have enough confidence to shoot if you are the one who has to shoot after a good pass. There were a few instances at first, but he has since found the happy medium. He remains an excellent passer, but he has scored goals because he is willing to go to the net and shoot when the chance presents itself. »
His teammates seem very enthusiastic. “He is good, very intelligent. He thinks about passing first, so when he has the puck, you have to be ready at all times. He can find you easily. It’s always nice to play with good passers,” said Mikko Rantanen.
His legendary knowledge of the NHL is also already recognized. “It seems like he knows all the players, what brand of skates they use and how they put tape on their stick! », laughed the Finn.
It will now be interesting to see what happens next. Drouin signed a one-year contract at $825,000. Since 1er January, he is therefore eligible for a contract extension. On the other hand, the Avalanche already has nearly $85 million committed for next season. If they can find common ground at a reasonable price, it’s hard to see why the marriage wouldn’t continue.