Imagine pouring your heart and soul into a team, feeling like you've finally found your place, only to have the business side of hockey tear it all away. That's exactly what happened to Jonathan Drouin with the Colorado Avalanche, and his recent return to Denver as a member of the New York Islanders has stirred up a lot of emotions.
This Sunday's game between the Islanders and the Avalanche is much more than just another regular-season contest. It's a reunion, a clash of titans, and a showcase of what could have been. While both teams are riding impressive winning streaks – Colorado boasting five straight victories and the Islanders four – the real intrigue lies in Drouin's bittersweet return.
Drouin's time in Colorado, though relatively short, was impactful. He proved to be a valuable asset, fitting seamlessly into the Avalanche's system. "It sucked," Drouin confessed, reflecting on his departure via free agency. "Sometimes you gotta make decisions for your family or other reasons. I enjoyed my time in Colorado. I would’ve loved to stay here for the rest of my career, but the business side doesn’t allow it sometimes.” He clearly felt a strong connection to the team and the city.
Since joining the Islanders, Drouin has flourished, playing alongside Matt Barzal and contributing significantly to their offense with three goals, 11 assists, and 14 points in his first 17 games. But here's where it gets controversial... his defensive game has also surprised many.
Islanders head coach Patrick Roy has been particularly impressed. "He’s very mature right now. When he was in junior, he was a phenomenal playmaker… What I love about his game right now is he’s playing both sides...The 200-foot game that he’s playing shows me a lot of maturity in his game.” This newfound defensive responsibility has added another layer to Drouin's game, making him an even more valuable player.
The Avalanche reportedly engaged in discussions with Drouin's camp before free agency, exploring options to keep him in Colorado. However, a deal couldn't be reached. The primary obstacle likely stemmed from Drouin's desire for a top-six forward's salary, a role the Avalanche couldn't guarantee with Gabe Landeskog's potential return looming.
Hypothetically, Drouin might have filled a similar role to Victor Olofsson, providing depth scoring and contributing on the power play. But the Avalanche couldn't justify matching the two-year, $8 million contract the Islanders offered – a testament to Drouin's perceived value and potential.
Avalanche coach Jared Bednar echoed Roy’s sentiments, highlighting Drouin's commitment to improving his defensive game. “Soon after joining us, he really dug in on the defensive side of things, and was a highly regarded defensive player for us, too,” Bednar explained. “You have to be in this league if you’re going to play top line minutes with top guys… So you have to round out your game and become a better defensive player. And he did that and earned a lot of trust with me.”
Adding another layer to this emotional matchup, Avalanche center Brock Nelson is set to face his former team, the Islanders, for the first time. Unlike Drouin's brief stint in Colorado, Nelson spent his entire 12-year career on Long Island before being traded to the Avalanche earlier this year. “I try to approach it like any other game… There will be a couple smiles and a couple laughs and cheers, but at the end of the day, I think both teams just want to go out there and compete and win,” Nelson stated, attempting to downplay the emotional significance of the game.
Calum Ritchie, acquired by the Islanders in the trade that sent Nelson to Colorado, will also be in the lineup.
And this is the part most people miss... The game also features a highly anticipated showdown between two of the league's most promising young defensemen: Colorado's Cale Makar and New York's Matthew Schaefer. Schaefer, an 18-year-old rookie, has taken the league by storm, leading all defensemen in goals with seven, surpassing even Makar's impressive six.
While there's no direct connection between Makar and Schaefer, the parallels are striking. Both are Canadian, and Schaefer's emergence has drawn comparisons to Makar's impactful debut six years ago. "At the end of the day, you play your own game, and you do your own thing," Schaefer said, acknowledging Makar's influence.
Finally, the presence of Patrick Roy behind the Islanders' bench adds another layer of intrigue. Roy, a legendary goaltender and four-time Stanley Cup champion, played a pivotal role in the Avalanche's Stanley Cup victories in 1996 and 2001.
"That’s what I said to the guys. I looked at [the banners] and I said ‘hey, this is me,” Roy revealed. “It was a privilege for me to be in Colorado for those eight years as a player and three as a coach… It’s nice to be part of that family.”
Perhaps the most under-the-radar storyline involves Ray Bennett, who was hired as Roy's assistant after being fired by the Avalanche in May. Bennett now oversees the Islanders' power play.
Speaking of power plays, the Islanders currently rank 21st in the NHL with a 16.7% success rate, just behind the Avalanche, who sit at 20th with 17.4%.
This game is a melting pot of narratives, emotions, and talent. But here's where it gets controversial... Does Drouin's success with the Islanders prove the Avalanche made a mistake letting him go? Or was it simply a matter of financial constraints and roster considerations? What do you think? Is there a chance Drouin will one day return to the Avalanche, or is his future firmly planted on Long Island? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!
