Jonathan Drouin is sleeping well these days.
Part of that is because he’s found a new home with the Colorado Avalanche after a breakout 2023-24 season. It’s also partly because his wife, son and newborn daughter haven’t arrived in Denver yet, because his baby girl isn’t old enough to fly yet.
“I’m sure when they get here, my wife will catch up on some sleep and I’ll try to cover for some of what I’ve missed,” Drouin said. “It’s hard not being there with her and watching her grow, but right now she’s at an age where it’s pretty much just sleep and drink milk. I’m trying to help however I can on the phone, at least offer some support.”
Drouin was one of the best stories in the NHL last season. A former elite prospect whose career had not gone the way he had hoped, Drouin fulfilled some of that promise after joining the Avs on a one-year, show-me contract.
He became an integral part of one of the best teams in the NHL. He set a career high in points with 56, and earned the trust of his coaches and teammates because of his work ethic and much-improved two-way play.
It earned him a one-year, $2.5 million contract in the offseason, which was still a team-friendly deal but Drouin understood the Avs’ salary cap challenges and didn’t want to leave what had been such a great situation for him.
Now, he’s in a different place in late September than he was a year ago.
“Just more comfortable.You know the system. You’re not thinking out there. It’s so much easier,” Drouin said. “You’re just more comfortable with the staff, the plays we use, the system, Denver as a city.”
A year ago Drouin was a wild card. Now the Avs not only want him to succeed … they need him to. Colorado will start the season without three of its top five wings — Valeri Nichushkin, Artturi Lehkonen and captain Gabe Landeskog. That puts more pressure on Mikko Rantanen, but also Drouin.
He’s spent all of camp skating next to Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon on the top line.
“We expect a lot out of him. He expects a lot out of himself,” MacKinnon said. “I think he got a taste of what being an elite player was last year. For me at least, once you taste that, it’s hard to go back to anything else but that. I expect him to be even better this year, more consistent. I think he’s got a great process now off the ice to get ready for games that he trusts and makes him feel good. He does so much work away the rink. I think he’s going to have a great year.”
Drouin finished last season with 19 goals and 56 points in 79 games. His Stanley Cup Playoffs was delayed by a skate cut, and then the day he returned was overshadowed by Nichushkin being suspended.
His breakout year started quite slow, with one point in 10 games and even a healthy scratch. From mid-November on, Drouin played at a 65-point pace. And he believes there more to come.
“I’m searching for another level. Obviously I had a little bit of a tough start, but as the year went on I thought my game went upwards like the team did. I’m happy how it went last year for myself, and I’m not satisfied.
“Everything here is so dialed in, with training and treatments, the way you prepare your body before games, after games. I think anyone here who is dialed in is going to gain an advantage.”
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Everything is more familiar for Drouin as well. When his family does arrive, he’s looking forward to more walks in Washington Park or the parks closer to his home in Hilltop.
Drouin has come so far. When he didn’t fulfill his potential in Tampa Bay or Montreal, it was never a question of effort or desire. At times he cared too much.
He’s found the right balance in his life, both on the ice and off. And the Avs are going to need the newfound version of him this season.
“I think my life has just changed too with my son and my new daughter,” he said. “It changes the perspective and the focus. When I get home, I’m a dad. I’m not a hockey player.”
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