The New York Islanders have signed forward Jonathan Drouin to a two-year contract. The deal is worth $8 million, carrying an average annual value (AAV) of $4 million. This move adds a skilled, versatile player to the Islanders' forward group.
Drouin, 30, is coming off a season with the Colorado Avalanche where he recorded 11 goals and 26 assists for 37 points in 43 games. He also contributed three assists in seven playoff games. Over his 11-year NHL career, Drouin has accumulated 107 goals and 267 assists for 374 points in 607 games played with the Lightning, Canadiens, and Avalanche. He has also added 27 points (six goals, 21 assists) in 43 career Stanley Cup Playoff games.
Drouin was drafted third overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Before his NHL career, Drouin played for the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), where he showcased his offensive talent. During the 2012-13 season, he registered 105 points (41 goals and 64 assists) in 49 games and was second in the league in points. He also led the league with 35 points in 17 postseason games, earning the QMJHL playoff MVP award and helping the Mooseheads win the President's Cup. That same year, Drouin helped Halifax capture the Memorial Cup and was named CHL Player of the Year.
Internationally, Drouin has represented Team Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championship in 2013 and 2014. He served as an alternate captain in 2014, tallying nine points in seven games.
Drouin's career has been marked by flashes of brilliance and struggles with consistency and injuries. After being drafted by Tampa Bay, he spent three seasons with the Lightning before being traded to the Montreal Canadiens. In Montreal, he played six seasons. He signed with the Avalanche as a free agent on July 1, 2023.
In the 2023-24 season with the Avalanche, Drouin posted a career-high 56 points (19 goals and 37 assists) in 79 games. During that season, Drouin played alongside former QMJHL teammate Nathan MacKinnon and thrived in a top-six role.
The Islanders are adding Drouin hoping he can provide secondary scoring and playmaking ability to their middle-six forward group. He is expected to compete for a spot on the second line.
The Islanders also signed defenseman Tony DeAngelo to a one-year contract and goaltender David Rittich to a one-year contract. Rittich, 32, spent the past two seasons with the Los Angeles Kings. In 230 career NHL games, he has played for the Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, Nashville Predators, Winnipeg Jets, and Kings.
