Under Pressure: In Defence of Montreal Canadiens Jonathan Drouin

Montreal Canadiens Jonathan Drouin has all of the offensive tools to be a successful top 6 forward, but will his defensive liabilities, and his response to pressure, fail him.

Jonathan Drouin of the Montreal Canadiens is an uber-talented, offensive whiz kid, who can weave through opposing defences at will, with spectacular stick-handing, an uncanny passing ability, and a highly accurate shot. He can also be a lackadaisical defensive liability, who looks, at best, disinterested in utilizing his teammates; and, at worst, resembles a lazy, selfish, and overpaid under producer for the Montreal Canadiens.

So, what type of player do we have in Drouin? I argue that we have much more of the former than the latter, and I will provide a defence of that position…

Let us start with Drouin’s defence at the beginning-his glory days with the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL. During his time there, under the tutelage of the now Montreal Canadiens assistant coach, Dominique Ducharme, Jonathan was one of the most elite offensive players in the whole league, even the entire CHL.

His offensive numbers prove that point. His statistics from season one were: 33 GP, 7G, 23A, 29 points; with 26 points in 17 playoff games as a rookie. Season two: 49 GP, 41G, 64A, 105 points, with 35 points in 17 playoff games.

The Mooseheads went on to win the Memorial Cup that year (2013) with Drouin getting five assists in the final game vs the Portland Winterhawks. That momentous performance, on such a huge junior stage as the Memorial Cup (albeit, still a junior one, not an NHL one), indicates that he can “come up big in big games.” He performs exceptionally in games that matter.