A Promising Trade Turns Sour
When the Montreal Canadiens traded Mikhail Sergachev to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Jonathan Drouin, it was seen as a masterstroke by fans and management alike. The Canadiens were convinced they had found their number one center, and they quickly signed Drouin to a six-year, $33 million contract. However, the expectations began to unravel almost immediately. Drouin’s first season in Montreal saw him accumulate 46 points, but he finished with a dismal minus-28 rating. Despite his natural playmaking abilities, Drouin struggled to keep up with the defensive responsibilities required of a pivot. His faceoff success rate of just 42% further highlighted his shortcomings in this role. It was clear that the experiment was not panning out as the organization had hoped.
Transition to the Wing
In an effort to salvage Drouin’s potential, the Canadiens moved him to the wing, hoping to leverage his offensive prowess. While this shift did bring some improvement, Drouin never managed to score more than 53 points in a season. Moreover, he was unable to withstand the rigors of an 82-game NHL schedule, playing only 71% of the possible games over his six seasons in Montreal. This was partly due to recurring wrist injuries and mental health challenges. Drouin’s struggles in Montreal were both visible and impactful, leading to significant disappointment among the fan base and management.
A Fresh Start in Colorado
When Drouin’s contract with the Canadiens expired, he signed with the Colorado Avalanche as a free agent before the 2023-24 season. Rejoining his former junior teammate Nathan MacKinnon, Drouin found a new lease on life. His first season in Colorado was nothing short of a career high, with 56 points in 79 games on a modest $825,000 contract. Drouin’s performance was a stark contrast to his Montreal tenure, and he proved to be a valuable asset to the Avalanche. His playmaking skills and offensive contributions were a perfect fit for the team’s dynamic offense, and he quickly won the hearts of the Colorado fans.
Injuries Persist, but Points Don’t Lie
Unfortunately, Drouin’s history with injuries followed him to Colorado. This season, he has been limited to just 28 games. However, he has still managed to rack up 25 points, which projects to a formidable 73 points over a full 82-game season. If he had been able to maintain this level of production throughout his time in Montreal, Drouin would undoubtedly have been a fan favorite there too. The contrast between his performances in Montreal and Colorado is a testament to the significant role that team dynamics and linemates can play in a player’s success. In Montreal, Drouin was expected to be "THE guy," whereas in Colorado, he has been able to thrive as one of several key contributors, rather than bearing the weight of the team’s expectations.
The Impact of Team Environment
Drouin is not the only former Canadien who has found success in Colorado. Artturi Lehkonen, who was often relegated to the bottom six in Montreal, has emerged as a top-six forward in Denver. Despite his own injury struggles, Lehkonen has been a critical part of the Avalanche’s recent Stanley Cup win, scoring the winning goal in the championship series. He subsequently signed a five-year, $4.5 million cap hit contract with the Avalanche. Both Drouin and Lehkonen’s transformations highlight how a supportive and high-functioning team environment can significantly enhance a player’s performance and longevity.
Reflecting on the Canadiens’ Decisions
The tale of Jonathan Drouin and Artturi Lehkonen in Colorado serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities involved in player trades and free agency. The Montreal Canadiens’ management, while hopeful, perhaps overlooked the importance of team chemistry and the pressure that comes with being a high-profile player in one of the league’s most demanding markets. For Drouin, the change in scenery and role has made all the difference, allowing him to showcase his true potential. Canadiens fans can only hope that future decisions will better account for these factors, ensuring that the team’s investments yield the desired results.
