This summer, Jason Newland and I will continue our series looking at potential free agent targets who could be available on July 1.
Today, we’re looking at Jonathan Drouin.
Target: Jonathan Drouin – LW – 11 Years Experience
Jonathan Drouin is an interesting name that could be hitting the open market this summer. After bouncing around and struggling to find consistency early in his career, he really seemed to find a home with the Colorado Avalanche. Playing with his longtime friend Nathan MacKinnon has clearly helped, and it feels like both sides would like to keep things going.
That said, Drouin doesn’t really feel like the type of player that Don Waddell and the Columbus Blue Jackets would be targeting as they continue to build out their roster and take the next step in their rebuild.
Stats
This season, Drouin put up 11 goals and 26 assists for 37 points in 43 games. Over the course of his career, he’s appeared in 607 games with 107 goals and 267 assists for 374 points.
His best year came just last season when he posted 56 points in 79 games with Colorado.
Previous Salary
Drouin signed a one-year extension with the Avalanche on July 1, 2024. The deal carried an AAV of $1.5 million and included a modified no-trade clause. Heading into this summer, contract projections suggest he could land something around four years with a cap hit just under $6 million.
Realistic Chances of a Signing: Cold
This one doesn’t feel like it’s in the cards. Drouin has looked the most comfortable he's ever been in Colorado and there's a good chance he’ll want to stick around. But if he does hit the open market, he’ll likely be looking for a contender. A team like the Oilers or Stars could make sense if he’s chasing a Cup.
As for the Blue Jackets, it just doesn’t feel like a fit. Waddell will likely want to give younger players more opportunity while targeting higher-impact names in free agency. Much like the situation with Jamie Benn, Drouin isn’t likely to be on their radar this summer.
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