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What should Colorado Avalanche do with Jonathan Drouin?

By Graham Tiedtke

Nov 7, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; New Jersey Devils left wing Erik Haula (56) controls the puck ahead of Colorado Avalanche left wing Jonathan Drouin (27) in the first period at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; New Jersey Devils left wing Erik Haula (56) controls the puck ahead of Colorado Avalanche left wing Jonathan Drouin (27) in the first period at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Colorado Avalanche have started the 2023-24 season with an 8-3 record, including losing three of their last five games. One of the surprises on the team is Jonathan Drouin. Usually when we talk about “surprises”, it’s for a good reason. In the case of Drouin, it has been just purely bad and underwhelming.

Many people thought that the Colorado Avalanche signed Drouin because of his previous time with Nathan MacKinnon in Halifax with the Mooseheads. In the beginning, that is what I thought, too.  The thing is, that was 10 years ago. There was no guarantee that Drouin would revitalize his career even playing on the same line as MacKinnon.

With that, Drouin has a grand total of one point in 10 games and a plus-minus of minus-3.

When thinking about what the Colorado Avalanche should do with Drouin, placing him on the fourth line crossed my mind. However, I just don’t really have confidence in him at all. As Chris Miceli pointed out on LockedOn Avalanche, we should be seeing even just a little bit more from Drouin to be able to have hope and confidence that he can turn things around. One total point in 10 games is just not going to cut it.

On the plus side of things, the Colorado Avalanche didn’t sign him to a massive contract; he is signed for just this season at $825k. I would not mind if the Avalanche cut Drouin loose and continued to test the Colorado Eagles call-ups. Riley Tufte is a guy that comes to mind.

This season for the Colorado Eagles in the AHL, Tufte is tied for the league lead in goals with nine. He has three assists and a plus-minus of plus-12.

Things are currently more complicated, however, as we could see a potential suspension for Ross Colton for a hit and ejection in Tuesday night’s game against the New Jersey Devils. If Colton is suspended, we’re going to see even more line shifting, potentially giving Drouin more ice time.

Lastly, I don’t know if any team would be interested in Drouin, given his lack of an impact this year.

It’s hard for me to see the Colorado Avalanche ride this thing out because it just feels like a “what you see is what you get” situation with Drouin. It is hard for me to see what the Colorado Avalanche saw in Colton when they signed him away from the Montreal Canadiens in the offseason.

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