Why Jonathan Drouin Should Re-Sign with the Colorado Avalanche for 2025-26
Jonathan Drouin joined the Colorado Avalanche as a free agent in 2023 and has since played under one-year contracts. Given the circumstances, it would be wise for him to continue that approach.
After a strong 2023-24 season where Drouin set career highs in assists and total points, many expected him to land a more lucrative deal elsewhere. Instead, he chose to remain in Colorado for another year on a $2 million contract—a move that surprised many.
During that 2023-24 season, Drouin appeared in 79 of 82 regular season games, prompting comparisons to Valeri Nichushkin in terms of impact. However, the following season (2024-25) wasn’t as smooth. Drouin played just 43 games due to injuries, though he still recorded 11 goals and 26 assists, maintaining an average ice time of 18:11 per game—the same as the previous year. Had he stayed healthy, he might have reached new career highs.
One potential drawback for Drouin is the fact that he’s spent most of his time on a line with Nathan MacKinnon. This raises the question of whether his success is largely due to MacKinnon’s presence. Ideally, the team and Drouin won’t need to answer that by testing him elsewhere. Instead, Colorado could offer him another short-term contract, betting on his ability to stay healthy and produce even more next season.
Drouin is a clear example of untapped potential. Though he’s had productive seasons in the past, delaying a long-term or high-paying contract until after a fully healthy and productive year could benefit him greatly—especially if the Avalanche make a deep playoff run.
Despite Colorado falling short in the playoffs this season, a strong 2025-26 campaign could position Drouin for a major payday in 2026.
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