We now know what the next contract for Jonathan Drouin will look like

It's a fascinating case because there aren't many precedents in history to base it on properly.

We're talking about a player who some saw leaving for Europe a year ago, a player who didn't seem to deserve his $5.5 million per year with the Montreal Canadiens, but who has been an incredible bargain for the Colorado Avalanche.

Is Drouin more of a $5.5 million per year player, or an $825,000 player, like he earned this season in Colorado?

His 50 points in 58 games to finish the 2024 regular season, his 3 points in 3 playoff games, and his role on the Avalanche's top line suggest he deserves much more than the NHL minimum salary.

That's what seems to be shaping up, and that's what the very reliable AFPAnalytics, which has been the most accurate over the past two years, has just suggested.

We know that Nathan MacKinnon wants to keep him in Colorado, and we know that the Avalanche wants to please their franchise player (not to mention that Drouin has clearly earned his raise), so this will be a fascinating case to follow.

Will the Avalanche, who are very tight under the salary cap, offer him such a contract?

Credit: DailyFaceoff - Prédiction de contrats de 75 joueurs autonomes du circuit Bettman.