Tampa Bay Lightning: Jonathan Drouin Isn’t Going Anywhere
Nov 7, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jonathan Drouin (27) in the third period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Minnesota Wild beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Jonathan Drouin has had high expectations as a former third overall pick in the 2013 NHL draft, but fans need to stay patient with the young forward.
Since the day Jonathan Drouin was selected with the third overall pick during the 2013 NHL draft, fans have anticipated that the young Canadian forward would provide a young, skillful presence into the lineup with his skating and play making abilities. Fans watched games and highlight videos from his time in Halifax as a member of the QMJHL team Halifax Mooseheads and salivated over the skill Drouin showed while on the ice.
After spending his first year as a Lightning prospect back in Halifax to improve his game and gain strength for the next level, it has not been an easy road for the 20-year-old as injuries and limited minutes on the ice have limited his abilities. Some fans have even reacted that it may be time to call Drouin a bust and trade him away to another team.
No really we should trade Drouin...
— 𝐽⚜️⚡️ (@whodat9jo) November 13, 2015
Anyone who believes that Jonathan Drouin is a bust or is going to be traded is not watching the same games you and I are watching. When he has been on the ice, though in a limited fashion, Drouin has shown that he is more than capable at excelling in this league. Remain optimistic, Lightning fans. Here are some reason to do so.
Next: Scoring With Limited Ice Time
Oct 24, 2014; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jonathan Drouin (27) celebrates his goal during the second period against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
There is a quote from a person named Saadi that I really loved to describe this situation. “Have patience. All things are difficult before they become easy.” The life of an NHL player is hard, especially for a 20-year-old kid who was always one of the best players on his own team and if not the entire league that he played in growing up. Just like in any sport, all young players are going to go through growing pains and Drouin is no exception.
Going into the draft, Drouin was highly regarded as one of the top overall prospects in the 2013 class. He had speed, he had skill, he had vision, and he had the making of a player that could one day be a top 10 scorer in the NHL. Well, there is nothing that has changed my mind that Drouin can not one day live up to those high expectations that were set for him coming out of Canadian junior. The reason why? A combination of individual skill and the players around him.
In 70 games last season, Drouin recorded 4 goals and 28 assists for a total of 32 points. That may not seem like a lot, but in comparison to the amount of ice time, Drouin was third on the team with 2.07 points/60 mins of ice time. This while playing on the fourth line for a majority of the time with players like Brian Boyle and Brenden Morrow that aren’t known to be major scoring threats.
Speaking of Brian Boyle, the big man scored 15 goals in his first season in a Lightning uniform. A big reason for this? To go along with his impressive short handed goals, Drouin played a role in many of the times Boyle found twine with his shots. This is a prime example, and it is fun to watch.
Next: The Future Drouin/Stamkos Combination
Oct 24, 2014; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steven Stamkos (91) celebrates his goal during the first period with forward Jonathan Drouin (27) against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
Just wait on it, it’s coming. We have seen glimpses of the Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Drouin in bits and pieces during Drouin’s short time in the NHL, but believe me when I tell you this; Jonathan Drouin and Steven Stamkos will be a lethal duo for many years to come.
Of course, this all depends on the whole Steven Stamkos contract situation, but like most of us I am optimistic that the two sides get a deal done. Assuming we see the Lightning captain back in Tampa Bay on a new long-term contract, it will only be a matter of time before we see one of the top goal scorers in the league receiving passes from a future play making star in Jonathan Drouin.
Jonathan Drouin has too much skill, speed, and vision not to be successful with a scorer like Stamkos. He had 28 assists playing on the fourth line most of the time! Finding consistency and chemistry with Stamkos will help him earn his top line minutes and create the next great scoring duo in the NHL.
Oh, and while we sit here and wait for this to be a thing, let’s get a taste of what the future will have in store between there two players. Again, its fun to watch.
Next: Drouin Is A Future Top 10 NHL Scorer
Dec 11, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Jonathan Drouin (27), center
(17) and teammates congratulate each other after they beat the Carolina Hurricanes at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
You may laugh at me now, but you will all remember this when it happens. Jonathan Drouin will be a top 10 NHL point scorer one day, and the reason is for all the things we have previously discussed.
The fact that Jonathan Drouin scored 32 points while playing less than 10 minutes per game on most nights is absolutely outstanding. Pairing him with Steven Stamkos and another winger such as (preferably) Nikita Kucherov, Ryan Callahan, or Alex Killorn will create a power line that the Lightning can ride in times where they score a ton or where they can barely hit the side of a barn.
I cant say this enough to Tampa Bay Lightning fans around the world; You must be the patient with Jonathan Drouin. If you want him to be traded, you probably don’t understand the game of hockey as well as you think. The kid is only 20-years-old; not even old enough to legally consume alcohol in the United States. In only his second NHL season where he continues to adjust to the speed of the game and improve his 200-foot game, you must give Drouin a chance to grow and you will eventually be rewarded.
Video doesn’t lie, and every video that you have seen so far has shown why Drouin will one day be a star in this league. You know what is better than video? Even more video. So while Drouin continues to recover from his lower body injury, just remember that Jonathan Drouin is going to be a star in this league one day, and we will all be along for the ride.