Former Lightning Forward Having Career Revival

Former Tampa Bay Lightning forward is pacing for career highs in point production.

Jonathan Drouin, 28, is having an impressive rebranding in his first year with the Colorado Avalanche after signing a league-minimum one-year deal worth $825,000.

After spending nine seasons between the Tampa Bay Lightning (3 years) and Montreal Canadiens (6 years), this is Drouin's first season in a new market. Things are looking up for the 2013 first-round draft pick.

In his last four years, Drouin could not hit the 30-point mark. Granted, this will be his first full season in that span. He has only played 163 games out of a possible 246, minus the bubble year.

In Colorado, his game has been reborn, pacing for 40+ points for the first time since 2018-19, when he provided 18 goals, 35 assists and 53 points in 81 games. Drouin posted similar numbers in 2016-17 as a Tampa Bay Lightning, with 21 goals and 33 assists for 53 points in 73 games.

Since signing with the Avalanche, his game has blossomed, earning first-line minutes alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen has improved his game. Currently, just six points shy of surpassing last year's point totals.

Through 41 games, Drouin has ten goals, with 14 assists and 24 points this season. If he can play a full season, he could reach the 50-point mark and earn a new contract.

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