Montreal Canadiens: What does the future hold for Jonathan Drouin?
By Omar L
The question is whether he will still be a member of the team once that happens.
Brian Wilde had an interesting tweet after last night’s game contemplating the future of Drouin in the organization.
Drouin will be traded. Fans are driving him out of town. It will be a lousy return too because the Habs won't be trading from strength. You heard it here first.
— Brian Wilde (@BWildeMTL) March 15, 2019
To make things clear, Wilde isn’t saying that he should be traded, but the backlash and negativity from the fans aren’t making it ideal. And as much as the Habs organization says they don’t take the fan perspective into account, it does play some kind of role.
Marc Bergevin mentioned attitude as one of the issues within the locker room last season and made an effort to move those out who didn’t fit that model. Max Pacioretty and Alex Galchenyuk all felt that. It won’t be surprising if it does get to the point where Bergevin feels like he can improve the Habs by moving Drouin out.
Should he be traded? Absolutely not. Drouin, when he is on his game, is deserving of that contract. He’s a 50-point player, and in today’s NHL $5 million is the hallmark.
Eric Engles put it best in his Sportsnet post not too long ago, Drouin is still a developing player. He doesn’t deserve to be the sole blame for losses, but that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be demanded more. Shaw got the ball rolling with his comments after the game, and it’ll be up to Drouin to change that tendency within himself and become the superstar Habs fans thought he would be when he first arrived.
Next. The Shaw Call Out Can be a Turning Point. dark
Patience will continue to be the virtue, both from the organization and the fan base.