Summer is almost over and most of the Colorado Avalanche team is back in town, including Nathan MacKinnon. The Avs top center doesn’t look like he slowed down a bit since the season ended. He hit the ice for an informal skate on Sept. 7 with the same intensity as if it were a full practice. Two squads played 3-on-3 in the width of the rink at one goal end. Mikko Rantanen and Jonathan Drouin were with MacKinnon for a stint. And Ryan Johansen was paired up with Artturi Lehkonen at some points. Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin have been working on drills since they have been skating together last week. Some of the combinations gave a glimpse of what lines could possibly look like this season. But there is still plenty to do before those decisions are made. MACKINNON AND DROUIN WORK ON DRILLS TOGETHER After the squads finished up, MacKinnon and Drouin paired off and worked at one goal end banking the puck off the boards and shooting from the angle. MacKinnon seemed to guide Drouin but not in a coach kind of way -- as a teammate. The pair has continued to work on shooting drills in the informal skates over the last week, since they were reunited. Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin have worked together since being reunited last week. The two played together in juniors and won a Memorial Cup with the Halifax Mooseheads in 2013 before they were drafted. MacKinnon earned 75 points in 44 regular season games, and 33 points in 17 playoff games in that championship season. His linemate Drouin put up 105 points in the regular season and 35 in the playoffs. While MacKinnon has excelled in the Avalanche system, Drouin didn’t quite get up to speed with his draft team — the Tampa Bay Lightning. And his career took a turn when he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens. He battled injuries and anxiety on a subpar team in a city that puts an immense amount of pressure on its players. Fast-forward to last week’s informal skate ending with MacKinnon and Drouin working on drills together. MacKinnon encouraged and guided Drouin, who seemed dialed in and focused on the interaction. Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland said MacKinnon was a key piece to bringing Drouin to Colorado [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche/news/2013-draft-class-reunion-on-the-avs-top-line]. Avs management signed Drouin to a one-year contract this offseason in the hope that the reconnection and fresh start could spark his potential. Drouin has speed and good puck-handling skills but he lacks aggression on the puck. With some work and direction, he could end up on the top line with his former teammate.
