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Montreal Canadiens: What can Habs’ fans expect from Jonathan Drouin next season?

By Matthew Candy |
MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 09: Jonathan Drouin #92 of the Montreal Canadiens skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on February 9, 2019 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 09: Jonathan Drouin #92 of the Montreal Canadiens skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on February 9, 2019 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

Montreal Canadiens Jonathan Drouin has been underwhelming with Habs. What can we expect this season?

Jonathan Drouin has been a controversial figure since joining the Montreal Canadiens in 2017. The former third overall pick in the 2013 NHL draft, was traded from the Tampa Bay Lightning to Montreal, in exchange for Russian defensive prospect Mikhail Sergachev. Since landing in Tampa, Sergachev has been making waves, slotted in on the second pairing with another former Habs’ draft pick in Ryan McDonagh. What could have been.

At 22 years old and a Stanley Cup under his belt, Sergachev is projected to be a top pair defenseman in the NHL. Would he look good paired next to Shea Weber on the top pair in Montreal? Absolutely, but a lot has changed since 2017 and Habs’ fans can’t dwell on the past. With a bolstered lineup, next season will be Drouin’s biggest opportunity yet to prove his worth.

After being acquired from Tampa, Drouin finished his first two seasons in Montreal with 46 and 53 points respectively. Acceptable numbers, but not good enough as Drouin’s flashes of raw talent and playmaking ability left Canadiens’ fans desiring more. Rightly so, as trading for the talented forward came at a hefty price.

Fans concerns were heard loud and clear, as Drouin got off to a hot start in the 2019-20 season, putting up 15 points in 19 games. This included a first-star performance against the St.Louis Blues that had fans optimistic that the 25-year-old was finally starting to hit his stride. A moment that provided him a standing ovation from the Bell Centre faithful.

The rise to stardom was short lived for Drouin as he was plagued with injuries for the remainder of the season.  Drouin was sidelined from November to February and returned for only eight games. Upon his return, he was unable to get on the score sheet and looked timid on the ice, a shell of the confident and passionate Jonathan Drouin that started the season.

Fast forward to the playoffs, a healthy looking Drouin was full of energy and his offensive skill set was once again brought to light. The rejuvenated winger was able to find chemistry with Nick Suzuki and Joel Armia, a line that proved to be the most potent for the Canadiens in the post season. Drouin was tied with Suzuki at the end of the playoffs with seven points in ten games, while sitting at a plus/minus rating of +3.

Suzuki and Drouin showed instant chemistry, and combined for some highlight reel tallies. Look for Drouin to be on Suzuki’s wing this upcoming season, to try and recreate the magic they displayed in the playoffs.

With new additions being added to the Canadiens in the offseason, it is more than likely that a newly acquired winger will join Suzuki and Drouin on a line. All signs point to Josh Anderson being a nice fit on the right side of Suzuki. Anderson’s size, power, and heavy forecheck will create space for his talented counterparts to be more creative offensively.

Tyler Toffoli could also serve as a viable option on the Suzuki-Drouin line. Whether it be Anderson or Toffoli, Drouin will have two very capable line-mates.

With his return to full health, and the surplus of talent his line-mates will provide, this may be Drouin’s last chance to prove himself in a Canadiens uniform. Habs’ fans would love to see the version of Jonathan Drouin that started off so strongly last season, and put up consecutive seasons of 100 plus points in the QMJHL with the Halifax Mooseheads.

Providing Drouin can play a full 56 games next season, I would expect him to hit the 40-point plateau, and if the stars align, he may be able to collect 50 points. #92 will most likely receive ample power play time, running the number one unit from the point.

Combining all the elements mentioned above puts Drouin in a position to succeed and provides him with the opportunity to have a breakout season. Will it happen? Time will tell, but time is something the Quebec native may be running out of in Montreal if he cannot prove himself to be  effective and dynamic. The player that he was acquired to be.

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