Jonathan Drouin "would never tell a Quebecer to avoid Montreal".

Last Saturday, Jonathan Drouin left the Canadiens organization after six years in town. The Quebecer, who was an independent player, has decided to join the Avalanche, where he will be reunited with his former junior teammate Nathan MacKinnon.

I don’t know if they’ll play on the same trio, but I imagine we’ll give them chances to play together.

That said, even if Drouin’s time in the city has been tumultuous at times, that doesn’t mean he’s hated it. At his introductory press briefing with the Avalanche, the forward admitted that he’s had some great times in the city, and that even after six years, playing at the Bell Centre still gives him a thrill.

He even went so far as to say that he would “never tell a Quebecer not to come and play in Montreal”.

“I would never tell a Quebecer not to come and play in Montreal. Even after six years, I had butterflies in my stomach at the Bell Centre” -Jonathan Drouin, who says he grew up with the #GoHabsGo

“Even after six years, I had butterflies in my stomach playing at the Bell…

– L.A. Lariviere (@L_A_theRiver) July 3, 2023

Again, he may put on a little show, but it’s nice to see that despite all the challenges he’s faced in Montreal, he doesn’t hesitate to give the Habs some love in a public way. Things haven’t always been rosy for him, but you get the impression that he really enjoyed the chance to don the CH uniform.

That said, Drouin is well aware that a fresh start could be good for him. At a press conference, he acknowledged that there have been ups and downs in Montreal, but that he is thrilled by the idea of relaunching his career in Colorado.

And as you’d expect, he’s been chatting frequently with Nathan MacKinnon in recent weeks.

#Avs forward Jonathan Drouin said he and Nathan MacKinnon texted a lot in recent weeks. They were junior teammates.

“I’m just super excited to join the Avs.” He said he thinks he needs a fresh start after ups and downs in Montreal. pic.twitter.com/3M5UZOREji

– Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) July 3, 2023

I sincerely hope for Drouin’s success in Colorado. He was always a good guy during his time in Montreal, and while it may not have worked out the way he would have liked, he still gave a lot to the organization.

I can’t wait to see him in an Avalanche uniform, personally.

In gusto

– What do you think?

Speaking with @PatLaprade on La Centrale du Sport, @Chouine talked about the departure of Anthony Richard and the arrival of Lias Andersson. Do you prefer the Andersson gamble, or would you have liked to keep Richard?

To hear the full column: https://t.co/ulr1yM7lhB pic.twitter.com/JLzjpdo4CP

– BPM Sports (@BPMSportsRadio) July 3, 2023

– I also think it could help.

Reacting to the creation of a new women’s field hockey league, Ann-Sophie Bettez says she would like to see more NHL investment in women’s field hockey.

To hear the full interview with @PatLaprade: https://t.co/QL4HbIoFf9 pic.twitter.com/FOcUqCKgl4

– BPM Sports (@BPMSportsRadio) July 3, 2023

– What’s on.