Jonathan Drouin says it is ‘thrilling’ time to be with the Islanders

The Islanders’ French connections did their magic in convincing Jonathan Drouin to signal.

Drouin, a local of Ste-Agathe, Quebec, mentioned Thursday that he spoke with former Islanders Anthony Beauvillier and Derick Brassard earlier than inking his two-year, $8 million cope with the membership in free company, and that with the ability to converse with normal supervisor Mathieu Darche in French didn’t harm, both.

“Simply thrilling,” Drouin mentioned after ending his first observe as an Islander. “[Darche is] new right here, so he’s determining stuff as he goes as effectively. The best way he sees the group, the best way he sees the longer term as effectively. Thrilling for us, although I’m not 25, 24 [years old] anymore, it’s thrilling to see what he brings.”

Drouin started coaching camp Thursday on the highest line with Bo Horvat and Maxim Shabanov, an indication that the Islanders see the winger occupying a key function this season.

It’s anticipated that Drouin will determine closely into the ability play as effectively.

“It’s an excellent group,” Drouin, who performed the previous two seasons with the Avalanche, mentioned of the Islanders. “Final yr, they had been proper there. I feel [Mathew] Barzal missed 60 video games, there have been accidents like each group has, not excuses, however when this group is wholesome, take a look at the lineup. There’s numerous good gamers, lot of excellent traces, D-pairs. One other issue is [Ilya] Sorokin’s a hell of a goalie.”