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

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

Drouin, a native of Ste-Agathe, Quebec, said Thursday that he spoke with former Islanders Anthony Beauvillier and Derick Brassard before inking his two-year, $8 million deal with the club in free agency, and that being able to converse with general manager Mathieu Darche in French didn’t hurt, either.

“Just exciting,” Drouin said after finishing his first practice as an Islander. “[Darche is] new here, so he’s figuring out stuff as he goes as well. The way he sees the team, the way he sees the future as well. Exciting for us, even though I’m not 25, 24 [years old] anymore, it’s exciting to see what he brings.”

Drouin began training camp Thursday on the top line with Bo Horvat and Maxim Shabanov, a sign that the Islanders see the winger occupying a key role this season.

It’s expected that Drouin will figure heavily into the power play as well.

“It’s a good team,” Drouin, who played the past two seasons with the Avalanche, said of the Islanders. “Last year, they were right there. I think [Mathew] Barzal missed 60 games, there were injuries like every team has, not excuses, but when this group is healthy, look at the lineup. There’s a lot of good players, lot of good lines, D-pairs. Another factor is [Ilya] Sorokin’s a hell of a goalie.”

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

Coach Patrick Roy said he was impressed with how Barzal skated in his first practice back from his season-ending kneecap injury.

“I think we were all curious to see how he would skate,” Roy said. “Very happy.”