Canadiens Named Team to Watch in Avalanche Forward Sweepstakes

Drouin played on a discount deal after taking $825,000 in 2023–24 and $2.5 million in 2024–25, while the projection for his next deal, according to Daily Faceoff, is set at a much larger $5.9 million per season (on a four-year deal).

“Drouin making his way to Montreal would be quite the story, and he’d fit in nicely as a veteran winger who could help boost their lineup offensively,” Tingly wrote.

Montreal could present both an opportunity for Drouin to become the veteran voice of a young Canadiens team, but also a risk he might not be willing to take once again. 

Drouin previously spent six seasons with the Canadiens after being acquired from Tampa Bay in 2017.

He finished his stint with the Habs racking up 186 points in 321 games, but struggled under the pressure of playing in his home province and acknowledged those issues after leaving the franchise.

“Until you live it,” Drouin told ESPN's Ryan S. Clar in Oct. 2023. “No one’s ready for it.”

Tingly also mentioned the Winnipeg Jets and the Los Angeles Kings as potential fits for Drouin as he approaches free agency on July 1.