Jonathan Drouin believes it’s ‘exciting’ time to be with Islanders

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

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

“Simply thrilling,” Drouin stated after ending his first apply as an Islander. “[Darche is] new right here, so he’s determining stuff as he goes as effectively. The way in which he sees the group, the way in which he sees the long run as effectively. Thrilling for us, regardless that 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 a very good group,” Drouin, who performed the previous two seasons with the Avalanche, stated of the Islanders. “Final 12 months, they had been proper there. I believe [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 a number of good gamers, lot of excellent strains, D-pairs. One other issue is [Ilya] Sorokin’s a hell of a goalie.”

<img style="aspect-ratio:1.54216867;display:block" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-modal-image="37153711" width="910" height="590" src="https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Jonathan-Drouin.jpg?w=1024" alt="New Islander Jonathan Drouin takes a shot during the team's practice on Sept. 18, 2025." class="wp-image-37153711" srcset="https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Jonathan-Drouin.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 3841w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Jonathan-Drouin.jpg?resize=300,195&quality=75&strip=all 300w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Jonathan-Drouin.jpg?resize=768,498&quality=75&strip=all 768w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Jonathan-Drouin.jpg?resize=1024,664&quality=75&strip=all 1024w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Jonathan-Drouin.jpg?resize=1536,996&quality=75&strip=all 1536w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Jonathan-Drouin.jpg?resize=2048,1328&quality=75&strip=all 2048w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Jonathan-Drouin.jpg?resize=600,389&quality=75&strip=all 600w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Jonathan-Drouin.jpg?resize=878,569&quality=75&strip=all 878w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Jonathan-Drouin.jpg?resize=744,483&quality=75&strip=all 744w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Jonathan-Drouin.jpg?resize=576,374&quality=75&strip=all 576w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Jonathan-Drouin.jpg?resize=440,285&quality=75&strip=all 440w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Jonathan-Drouin.jpg?resize=424,275&quality=75&strip=all 424w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Jonathan-Drouin.jpg?resize=180,117&quality=75&strip=all 180w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Jonathan-Drouin.jpg?resize=107,69&quality=75&strip=all 107w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Jonathan-Drouin.jpg?resize=62,40&quality=75&strip=all 62w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Jonathan-Drouin.jpg?resize=108,70&quality=75&strip=all 108w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Jonathan-Drouin.jpg?resize=83,54&quality=75&strip=all 83w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Jonathan-Drouin.jpg?resize=200,130&quality=75&strip=all 200w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Jonathan-Drouin.jpg?resize=231,150&quality=75&strip=all 231w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Jonathan-Drouin.jpg?resize=322,209&quality=75&strip=all 322w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Jonathan-Drouin.jpg?resize=664,431&quality=75&strip=all 664w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Jonathan-Drouin.jpg?resize=93,60&quality=75&strip=all 93w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Jonathan-Drouin.jpg?resize=123,80&quality=75&strip=all 123w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Jonathan-Drouin.jpg?resize=87,56&quality=75&strip=all 87w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Jonathan-Drouin.jpg?resize=234,152&quality=75&strip=all 234w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Jonathan-Drouin.jpg?resize=50,32&quality=75&strip=all 50w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Jonathan-Drouin.jpg?resize=150,97&quality=75&strip=all 150w" sizes="(max-width: 910px) 100vw, 910px"/> New Islander Jonathan Drouin takes a shot through the group’s apply on Sept. 18, 2025. Corey Sipkin for New York Sports activities

On the ice from Lengthy Island Join Contained in the Islanders by Ethan Sears, a weekly Sports activities+ unique.

Thanks

Adam Pelech practiced with a jaw protector, however had no limitations.

Coach Patrick Roy stated he was impressed with how Barzal skated in his first apply again from his season-ending kneecap damage.

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https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/20250918_IslandersPractice_CS020.jpg?resize=90,60&quality=75&strip=all 90w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/20250918_IslandersPractice_CS020.jpg?resize=120,80&quality=75&strip=all 120w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/20250918_IslandersPractice_CS020.jpg?resize=87,58&quality=75&strip=all 87w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/20250918_IslandersPractice_CS020.jpg?resize=50,33&quality=75&strip=all 50w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/20250918_IslandersPractice_CS020.jpg?resize=150,100&quality=75&strip=all 150w" sizes="(max-width: 885px) 100vw, 885px"/> New York Islanders goalie David Rittich defends purpose between Jesse Pulkkinen (42) and Mathew Barzal (13) throughout apply on the Northwell Well being Ice Heart on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in East Meadow, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST