Jonathan Drouin, former great Quebec prospect, traveled a complex path in the NHL, marked by ups and downs, bold financial decisions and a constant struggle to preserve his mental health.
Today, in the uniform of the Colorado Avalanche, he strives to combine professional ambition and personal balance, a challenge that he continues to meet with courage.
After a brilliant 2023-2024 season, where he collected 56 points and proved that he could still be an offensive asset, Drouin found himself faced with a choice.
Several teams were willing to offer him lucrative contracts, but he chose to stay in Denver for a modest $2.5 million.
This gesture demonstrates not only his loyalty to the organization that gave him another chance, but also his confidence in his own abilities to obtain a long-term contract later.
But this decision carries risks. An upper body injury, which occurred in the first match of the 2024-2025 season, forced him to miss 16 matches, before another incident sidelined him again for the same duration.
These forced breaks not only affected his progress on the ice, but also tested his mental resilience.
In Montreal, Drouin earned nearly $33 million over six years, an amount that many supporters consider disproportionate to his output.
However, for Quebecers, success is not measured only in numbers. In Denver, he accepted a salary well below his past expectations, putting his personal and family well-being first.
Becoming a father was a revelation for Drouin, transforming his perspective on life and hockey. This allowed him to better manage his anxiety, a condition he courageously made public while wearing the Canadiens uniform.
This transparency has opened the door to a broader discussion about mental health in sport, an often taboo subject.
“Since I wanted to get help, I didn’t know it was going to be beneficial. We think we are strong enough to do it alone… and we do it for three years,” he said at the time.
Today, he has tools and a support network that allow him to overcome difficult times.
“I now have tips, people to talk to, resources to manage anxiety or any level of stress. »
In Montreal, Drouin was constantly in the spotlight, his every move analyzed and criticized.
“Being stared at while shopping isn’t the most fun part of the day,” he admitted with a touch of sadness.
In Denver, he benefits from a tranquility that he never experienced in Quebec, an atmosphere that allows him to concentrate on his game and his family.
This doesn’t mean the pressure is completely gone. At 29, Drouin knows that his current performances will determine the rest of his career. In his return to action, he showed he could still contribute, including being involved in several goals in a crucial game against Buffalo.
Yet he remains aware that every opportunity counts and that a misstep could be costly.
By publicizing his mental struggles and demonstrating that it is possible to come back stronger, Drouin has inspired many young players and fans.
He shattered the myth that professional athletes are invulnerable, showing that it is possible to combine vulnerability with success.
While his future in the NHL remains uncertain, one thing is clear: Jonathan Drouin is not just a hockey player. It is also a symbol of courage, resilience and well-defined priorities.
For him, the richness of a career is not measured just in millions, but in the ability to overcome adversity while finding a balance between passion and personal happiness.
Drouin knows it better than anyone: true success is priceless.
If his time in Denver offered him a serenity he had never known, he also left many millions on the table, revealing the extent to which his personal well-being outweighs financial gains that are within reach. hand.
In the summer of 2024, after a 56-point season – his career best – Jonathan Drouin could have tested the free agent market.
According to sources close to his entourage, he could easily have signed a long-term contract of $4 million per year, which would have represented an agreement of $20 to $25 million over five or six years.
However, he chose to stay loyal to the Avalanche for a modest one-year contract at 2.5 million, convinced that he could demonstrate even more and obtain a more lucrative extension.
This bet on himself was part of a logic where loyalty and stability took precedence over the lure of profit.
“Since I got help, I know how to deal with it all, how to live my life and how to disconnect from hockey when I need to”he confided, reflecting the importance he attaches to his personal balance.
However, injuries have muddied the waters. Two long absences have slowed his progress this season, weakening his chances of securing a future in Denver.
If Drouin had opted for a long-term contract elsewhere, he would have already secured his financial future without the stress of constantly having to prove his worth.
The choice to stay in Denver was not trivial. Playing alongside Nathan MacKinnon, his former Mooseheads teammate, and Mikko Rantanen represented a golden opportunity to relaunch himself in an environment where the pressure is less than in Montreal.
However, the Avalanche faces significant challenges. Mikko Rantanen, one of the team’s cornerstones, will soon have to sign a contract extension, and the team’s tight finances could force general manager Chris MacFarland to make some tough choices.
In this context, Drouin could find himself without a contract again at the end of the season, with his future in Colorado directly linked to his ability to perform consistently while avoiding injuries.
His return to Denver is in no way assured. Unless he still accepts peanuts.
Through this cold reality, a truth emerges: Jonathan Drouin’s quest for mental serenity cost him dearly.
By choosing to prioritize his well-being and stay in a supportive environment, he willingly gave up millions of dollars in potential earnings.
This choice, courageous and rare in the world of professional sport, highlights the growing importance of mental health in a world where performance is often valued to the detriment of people.
However, it is clear that Drouin regrets nothing.
Jonathan Drouin is at a crossroads in his career. If he performs in the coming months, he could still land an interesting contract, whether in Colorado or elsewhere.
However, the weight of injuries and circumstances could limit his options, and his choice to prioritize his mental health will remain a key part of his journey.
The Quebecer embodies an important lesson: true wealth is not measured only in millions, but in the ability to overcome adversity while finding meaning in one’s life.
Yes, Drouin left millions on the table. But he gained something priceless: inner peace. And that, as he has proven throughout his career, is priceless.
