A Winning Habit
Fansided

Five Interesting storylines to Look for heading into the Montreal Canadiens 2021-2022 Season

By Kieran Drover

Jun 24, 2021; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens fans cheer before the game six against Vegas Golden Knights of the 2021 Stanley Cup Semifinals at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2021; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens fans cheer before the game six against Vegas Golden Knights of the 2021 Stanley Cup Semifinals at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 13, 2021; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Montreal Canadiens left wing Jonathan Drouin. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2021; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Montreal Canadiens left wing Jonathan Drouin. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

The Return of Jonathan Drouin

There is no doubt that last season was difficult for the Canadiens hometown left winger – Jonathan Drouin. It’s unfair to speculate why he may have left the team as abruptly as he did, and it’s an answer that fans may never receive.

However, what’s most important is that he seems to be doing okay. Drouin was found training in Brossard earlier this month after it was confirmed by the team’s general manager, Marc Bergevin, that the 26-year old forward would be good to go come training camp.

“We met with Jo, and Jo feels great. He’s focused and he’s ready to go.”

Although Drouin’s decision to leave the team in April of this past season could have nothing to do with hockey, there’s no denying that he has struggled with the Canadiens since being acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning back in June of 2017.

When the trade happened four years ago, the former third overall pick was supposed to be the next great goal scorer that the Canadiens had been running short of. The problem is that Drouin has yet to score 20 goals in a Canadiens uniform. Most notably, he only had two goals in 44 games this past season before leaving the team in late April.

Luckily enough, he has all the talent in the world, and it would be hard to deny that he doesn’t have the skill to turn his play around. Especially considering that Drouin has recently become more of a playmaker. After notching six assists in ten games at last summer’s bubble, he could find a spot in the lineup dishing the Canadiens new favorite snipers in Cole Caufield and Mike Hoffmann.

Aside from the idea of Drouin becoming everything the Canadiens asked the Lightning for this season, he is sure to receive quite the ovation when he steps on the ice against the Rangers at the team’s home opener on October 16th.

After everything he has gone through, it will easy to cheer him on regardless of how he performs when he finally dons the Canadiens jersey once again.

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