3) If the Montreal Canadiens don’t get John Tavares in free agency, do they keep Jonathan Drouin at centre?
See that’s interesting. I’m not sure if the Montreal Canadiens play Jonathan Drouin on John Tavares‘ wing if he does bless the team with an eight-year commitment. However, there are Marc Bergevin‘s controversial comments where he stated that in an ideal world the 23-year-old would play on the wing. At the same time, you can’t forget what Bergevin said at the team’s golf tournament last summer in that he would’ve made the trade for Drouin even if he was only to be made a winger.
Additionally, Drouin has made improvements playing in the middle of the ice. Claude Julien looks committed to the process of making him a serviceable centre in the NHL despite what other hockey minds believe. Would the Habs be willing to virtually throw this season of growth for Drouin away and put him back to where many thought he should be in the first place because Tavares is on the team? Ab-so-lute-ly!
Even if Drouin is moved to the wing, there is value in having that centre mentality on the wall. Combine that with the skill and vision already there, and the Habs have themselves an evolved star. Granted that’s IF Tavares signs in free agency.
If the Islanders superstar chooses to return to his team or some other team for that matter, Drouin will be in the middle of the ice to start the season next year. As I mentioned earlier, it looks like the Montreal Canadiens are committed to the process there and don’t necessarily have a good enough reason right now to abandon it.
Next: Reading Between Claude Julien's Message
Of all the exit meetings this season, Drouin will probably have one of the longest. There are a lot of things that he has to continue to improve on to better his performances on the ice. It’ll be the ol’ NHL summer routine for the Quebec native, but if he sticks to it, there’s no telling what he will do in the 2018/19 season.