Jonathan Drouin's start with the Colorado Avalanche was indeed challenging, falling short of initial expectations for his season with the team. The 28-year-old Quebec native initially struggled to find his offensive rhythm, leading to him being a healthy scratch on multiple occasions.
However, after a nine-game point drought, Drouin seems to have regained confidence and has now become one of the most utilized players by his head coach, marking a surprising turnaround in his situation.
During a recent game against the Winnipeg Jets, Drouin logged 25 minutes and 22 seconds of ice time, ranking second in the team for that game. This followed another high-ice-time performance against the Anaheim Ducks, where he played for 21 minutes and 36 seconds, reaching new personal highs for the Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts native.
In 24 games this year, Drouin has scored three goals and tallied eight points. While these numbers might not be extraordinary, considering his slow start, his gradual improvement indicates a potential resurgence in his NHL career.