Jonathan Drouin signs two-year deal as New York Islanders strengthen top-six attack

Going after Jonathan Drouin on a two-year contract marks a key purchasing point of the New York Islanders' offseason regimen. The 30-year-old has that experience and scoring ability that fulfill the Islanders' most pressing need for offensive depth.

This signing spurs some offense into the team's top-six forwards in preparation for a better performance next season. Consider Drouin essentially an addition with no long-term risk but upside, and one that could become one of the smarter pickups in the NHL offseason.

Jonathan Drouin is the jewel that headlines the Islanders' calculated upgrades to the roster

Jonathan Drouin was selected third overall in the 2013 NHL Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning and has since enjoyed a steady NHL career, putting up 374 points in 607 games.

Drouin racked up an impressive 37 points in just 43 games last year with the Colorado Avalanche, showcasing all his creativity and consistency. Now with the New York Islanders, the expectation is that Drouin will fit right in with the top-six forwards and perhaps get better power-play and five-on-five scoring output; he has the experience of playoff-caliber teams, who will be a great veteran presence in the locker room.

In addition to Drouin's signing, the Islanders locked Simon Holmstrom away from RFA status with a two-year deal. The 24-year-old forward has just come off his best NHL season to date, putting up 45 points in 75 games. Holmstrom has already spent 200 regular-season games in the NHL and offers the versatility and scoring punch that the Islanders require to ensure forward depth and to complement their younger players with a measure of veteran experience.

Almost on cue, defenseman Tony DeAngelo re-signed with the Islanders for one more year. A power play quarterback, his re-signing hints that management sees him as an ideal fit within the blue line structure. Only a few days before, the Islanders had long-term locked down Alexander Romanov to an eight-year deal, guaranteeing the reinforcement of their defense corps both in the near future and in the far future. The Islanders addressed goaltending as well.

With Semyon Varlamov on the road to recovery following knee surgery, the Islanders brought in the veteran netminder David Rittich on a one-year contract. Having started 31 games last season for the Kings, Rittich is a valuable addition in terms of depth and pro-level reliability between the pipes.Also Read: Alex Ovechkin nominated for 2025 Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian AwardThe New York Islanders did the splash, or so one would think. In reality, they quietly uprooted the core of their lineup. Jonathan Drouin's signing leads a group of short-sighted dealings in good taste, balancing experience and potential. If these backfire into results, New York may very well surprise many when the puck drops in the fall.