For the first time since signing with the Colorado Avalanche this summer, Jonathan Drouin will return to the Bell Center on Monday night.

The Quebecer is at the center of a very fruitful series. After a difficult start to the season, the former CH collected 16 points in his last 15 games, so he now has 10 goals and 14 assists for 24 points in 41 games this year.

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If he continues to do so well, Drouin would finish the season with 45 points in 78 games, which would be his second-best season since 2018-2019.

Canadian head coach Martin St-Louis has been asked to react to his former player's recent performances. According to the former, it's no surprise that Drouin has had so much success.

“I’m happy for “Jo” [Jonathan Drouin], St-Louis confided at a press conference on Sunday. I know he's doing great, especially lately. That doesn't surprise me, he's a very talented player. He and MacKinnon played together as juniors, so it's a favorable environment for “Jo.” I’m glad he’s okay.”

The same goes for defender David Savard, who believes the change of scenery has been beneficial for the 28-year-old striker.

“He’s a guy who is extremely talented,” he told the media on Sunday. Maybe the change of scenery was good for him. I really liked it here. […] It's nice to see him having so much success. He had harder times here [à Montréal], but he also had good times. He gave everything for the team and even though there was criticism, he was a guy who wanted to perform.”

An exemplary attitude

Jared Bednar, the boss behind the Avalanche bank, remembers, among other things, the attitude that Drouin had from the start.

“His attitude was the reason I was confident he would grow,” Bednar told reporters Sunday. He loves playing hockey and when you talked to him in the offseason you could tell he wanted to get back on his feet. His actions showed all that, so I’m happy for him.”

“He [Drouin] is an excellent player. It was huge for him to be able to feel comfortable in that line [avec Nathan MacKinnon et Mikko Rantanen], which allowed us to help other lines. His performances were excellent, both on the advantage and on the power play. So we really like what he is [Drouin] Do.”