Eyes On Isles
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Blockbuster signing confirms the New York Islanders aren't rebuilding

The New York Islanders made a blockbuster signing on Tuesday afternoon, bringing in a points producer who will continue to change this team's identity.
ByTodd Matthews|
Feb 11, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens left wing Jonathan Drouin (27) against the New York Islanders during the third period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Feb 11, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens left wing Jonathan Drouin (27) against the New York Islanders during the third period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images | David Kirouac-Imagn Images

The New York Islanders brought in forward Jonathan Drouin, signing him to a two-year deal worth a $4 million AAV. And this blockbuster signing has got to get Islanders fans pumped up, as they continue to try and change their identity and make the playoffs in Year 1 of the Mathieu Darche era.

It also all but confirms, not that we needed anymore confirmation, that there will be no rebuild taking place in the not-so-distant future. Drouin didn't light up the scoreboard for the Colorado Avalanche last season, putting up just 11 goals, but he posted 37 points in 43 regular season contests.

That means he more than built on the 56-point, 19-goal season he enjoyed in 2023-24, which was his first in Denver after spending his earlier career in Montreal and Tampa Bay. And for the Islanders to make such a monster signing, fans can start getting visions of the damage he could cause on Long Island.

Jonathan Drouin could be a godsend for the New York Islanders in a new era

Let's do some quick math here, because math is only fun when you put it into sports terms. Or, at least that's the case for me. Take the 37-point, 11-goal season he had in those 43 games. Let's go with the number of points per game he would've snagged across 82 contests, which turns out between 70 and 71.

As for goals scored, he'd have hit 21 for the year. Again, he's not one to light up the scoreboard, but if you want a playmaker who will help others finish sequences, Drouin's your guy. He's the kind of player you can put onto the first line in Long Island, and he'll help change the Isles trajectory.

So, don't expect to see the team that struggled to score last year, Isles fans. With Drouin in town, he will help others elevate their respective games. And that's going to pay off big time starting this season.

Oh, and this doesn't already count Mathew Barzal, Bo Horvat, and an up-and-coming Calum Ritchie. That's going to be one heck of a forward lineup, and the Isles may not be done just yet.

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