Player Discussion Jonathan Drouin----Nothing burger edition.

[sharknado]

The problem is that Hudon is trash.

Stop giving this long leash to French players. Drouin deserves to be traded and Hudon's NHL career is over as far as I can tell. You don't clear 30 teams because you're an NHLer.

Huh? I am not giving a long leash to anyone nor do I care what language they speak. Ideally get rid of both but if I had to keep 1, it would be Hudon because of his work ethic. The only time you will see Drouin play to his potential is during a contract season. That's when MB will be an idiot and give Drouin a long term $10 million/year salary and then Drouin will be invisible again.

 

[Rapala]

Which really has nothing to do with Drouin and everything to do with MB. Drouin has done exactly the same thing in Montreal as he was doing in Tampa. He was a 50 point winger with defensive issues in Tampa, and that's what he is with us.

Oh I agree 100% and was very leery of the fit from the beginning.

 

[The Real Timo]

Huh? I am not giving a long leash to anyone nor do I care what language they speak. Ideally get rid of both but if I had to keep 1, it would be Hudon because of his work ethic. The only time you will see Drouin play to his potential is during a contract season. That's when MB will be an idiot and give Drouin a long term $10 million/year salary and then Drouin will be invisible again.

As much as I can't stand Clod I gotta admit that his leash for Drouin seems to be rather short. It is pretty clear that Clod treats him like he does any other young guy... on a short leash. I bet if Clod had his way Drouin would be rotting in the AHL long time ago. But his boss made a franchise acquisition in bringing un bon pt't gars d'chez nous home so Clod's gotta live with it. And so do we.

 

[Rapala]

Drouin has a very good contract for a 50-60 point player - lower than the going rate.

I get people expect more looking at his skill set but Drouin is very comparable (stats-wise) to Kovalev at the same age....similar enigma as well it seems.

I 'd like to see him take over games like Kovalev could. I'm not holding my breath.

 

[26Mats]

Drouin has a very good contract for a 50-60 point player - lower than the going rate.

I get people expect more looking at his skill set but Drouin is very comparable (stats-wise) to Kovalev at the same age....similar enigma as well it seems.

The problem with Drouin is that his game was completely neutralised in the last 1/3 of the season, except for gim picking up a bunch of points in mainly a few blowout wins.

There are big question marks for me about whether he can even get back to even 40 points. He's been useless, even helpless out there for a long atretch now - kind of like scott gomez at the end.

 

[salbutera]

I 'd like to see him take over games like Kovalev could. I'm not holding my breath.

It’s ironic people recall the 31-year old Kovalev Gainey acquired not the early-mid 20s version enigma, who frustrated the NYR and led to him being dealt by playing every once in a while like Drouin

 

[GoodKiwi]

It’s ironic people recall the 31-year old Kovalev Gainey acquired not the early-mid 20s version,?who played every once in a while like Drouin

Except that's not what you were challenged on.

 

[Rapala]

It’s ironic people recall the 31-year old Kovalev Gainey acquired not the early-mid 20s version,?who played every once in a while like Drouin

Kovalev could turn games at that age too Pittsburgh and then NYR. Why do you think his coaches were so disenchanted with him? We aren't comparing apples to apples anyhow. Kovalev was a beast when his game face was on. Drouin what an otter?

 

[salbutera]

Except that's not what you were challenged on.

That’s what Rapala challenged...

As for your comment it’s unfounded, doesn’t matter if you score 50-points in the first 40-games or spread out over the season. As long as you get 50+ points consistently which he’s done here during his time.

 

[salbutera]

Kovalev could turn games at that age too Pittsburgh and then NYR. Why do you think his coaches were so disenchanted with him? We aren't comparing apples to apples anyhow. Kovalev was a beast when his game face was on. Drouin what an otter?

50-points is 50-points, style points don’t matter, that’s what he’s getting paid for. People want an 80-point player who’s signed for a 50-point player category

Always recall the beast play during playoff OT that led to a loss as Kovalev went for a “free skate in the Dzone and forgot he had teammates on the ice”...

 

[Rapala]

50-points is 50-points, style points don’t matter, that’s what he’s getting paid for. People want an 80-point player who’s signed for a 50-point player category

You can't be serious. Style is everything doesn't our GM make that painfully clear by now.
I'm actually talking about impact but that went over your head I guess.

 

[salbutera]

You can't be serious. Style is everything doesn't our GM make that painfully clear by now.
I'm actually talking about impact but that went over your head I guess.

At the end of the day it’s the outcome that matters - how does Kovalev's impact at 53-points as a 24-year old have more value than Drouin’s same point total.

 

[GoodKiwi]

That’s what Rapala challenged...

As for your comment it’s unfounded, doesn’t matter if you score 50-points in the first 40-games or spread out over the season. As long as you get 50+ points consistently which he’s done here during his time.

I have never brought points into the question. I only argued the impact.

I do not subscribe to the theory that every point a player gains is equal to any other. I do not look at players stats, those do not matter to me at all. What I do look at is how those points translate into points gained by a team in the standings.

 

[salbutera]

I have never brought points into the question. I only argued the impact.

I do not subscribe to the theory that every point a player gains is equal to any other. I do not look at players stats, those do not matter to me at all. What I do look at is how those points translate into points gained by a team in the standings.

Drouin had a horrendous last 1/3 of the season...not sure how that correlates to all of a sudden becoming a sub 40-point player? Probability is Drouin will do what his trend suggests - a 50-point enigmatic player may hit 60+ in a career year.

 

[Rapala]

At the end of the day it’s the outcome that matters - how does Kovalev's impact at 53-points as a 24-year old have more value than Drouin’s same point total.

Read the first thing I said in response to you comparing two completely different athletes. Hint there is a white flag waving. It is my opinion that Kovalev was able to take over games Drouin not so much. Then you came in with your ironic bit and brought up age for some reason which actually changes nothing Kovalev could do it at an early age. Find a different comparable and we'll talk.

 

[Video Coach]

Had an interesting thought about Drouin. If he isn't really fitting and younger players are pushing down the lineup into an area that doesn't really make sense for him (ie bottom 6), would the Habs look to move Drouin for a draft pick, instead of a player in return. Colorado has the space to take him on without any $ going back and his contract fits with the structure there. Adding Drouin as a top 6 to MacKinnon, Landeskog, Rantanen, Kadri, Burakovsky I think really helps that team. He obviously has the built-in chemistry with MacKinnon and even if he didn't play on that line you'd have to think they'd be a good pair on the PP.

So...Drouin for Colorado's 1st?

Instead of jamming up the roster, let the young guys play, work towards the playoffs and then you've got 2 1sts and 2 2nds in 2020. Could start to package those picks together to get inside the top 10...top 5...here we come Lafreniere!

The lineup without Drouin:

Tatar - Danault - Gallagher
Lehkonen - Domi - Suzuki
Byron - Kotkaniemi - Weal
Cousins - Poeling - Armia
Thompson

 

[salbutera]

Read the first thing I said in response to you comparing two completely different athletes. Hint there is a white flag waving. It is my opinion that Kovalev was able to take over games Drouin not so much. Then you came in with your ironic bit and brought up age for some reason which actually changes nothing Kovalev could do it at an early age. Find a different comparable and we'll talk.

I think we’re talking past each other, I only brought up age because though Kovalev & Drouin played different styles (which I completely agree with), in the end they possess similar characteristics both were/are enigmas.

Both were paid to be point producers for their respective teams, unless Kovalev taking over games resulted in a higher PPG ratio (which it didn’t at the same age) it’s moot IMO.

At 24 Kovalev produced 53-points in a far more wide open NHL back in 1997 with a more talented NYR team (Gretzky, Lafontaine, Leetch..) than last years Habs

 

[kgboomer]

So... Julien said that they were going to continue working with Drouin, because they know his potential. Where have I heard this one before.... oh right, with Galchenyuk just before he got traded.

 

[ottawa]

Huh? I am not giving a long leash to anyone nor do I care what language they speak. Ideally get rid of both but if I had to keep 1, it would be Hudon because of his work ethic. The only time you will see Drouin play to his potential is during a contract season. That's when MB will be an idiot and give Drouin a long term $10 million/year salary and then Drouin will be invisible again.

Not you specifically even though I replied to you. It was a general statement, I just used your reply to voice it.

 

[Deebs]

So... Julien said that they were going to continue working with Drouin, because they know his potential. Where have I heard this one before.... oh right, with Galchenyuk just before he got traded.

Hey, if they win this trade as well, keep working with him Claude

 

[HuGort]

Link?

Talking about Domi trade. Not Drouin trade.

 

[robicgi]

Would love for Drouin to tear it up with KK. Not being "the guy" for once and being on the 3rd line may really help him. Not ready to give up on him yet but if he doesn't step up this year then I'd say he is what he is , a 50 odd point 2nd/3rd liner with inconsistencies , which is fine. Not every player is gonna be a ppg player and defence is easier to teach then offensive skill. Still an asset for us just may be a great 3rd liner and not a top offensive guy.

 

[CHwest]

Had an interesting thought about Drouin. If he isn't really fitting and younger players are pushing down the lineup into an area that doesn't really make sense for him (ie bottom 6), would the Habs look to move Drouin for a draft pick, instead of a player in return. Colorado has the space to take him on without any $ going back and his contract fits with the structure there. Adding Drouin as a top 6 to MacKinnon, Landeskog, Rantanen, Kadri, Burakovsky I think really helps that team. He obviously has the built-in chemistry with MacKinnon and even if he didn't play on that line you'd have to think they'd be a good pair on the PP.

So...Drouin for Colorado's 1st?

Instead of jamming up the roster, let the young guys play, work towards the playoffs and then you've got 2 1sts and 2 2nds in 2020. Could start to package those picks together to get inside the top 10...top 5...here we come Lafreniere!

The lineup without Drouin:

Tatar - Danault - Gallagher
Lehkonen - Domi - Suzuki
Byron - Kotkaniemi - Weal
Cousins - Poeling - Armia
Thompson

I can't see ant team giving a first for him

 

[DangerDave]

Drouin may have put up a fair amount of points last year but many of those were because Domi was an absolute beast. The two were separated and Domi just kept on chugging along while Drouin fell off a cliff. To be honest though, points are not really the issue. Guy just doesn't think hockey at a high enough level and he doesn't skate or out muscle guys enough (at all) to make up for that. Next game, watch how Tatar and Suzuki just seem to always get the puck for whatever reason or how Gallagher just out works players. Then, watch how Drouin never creates turnovers for himself, is never near the puck and goes incognito for most of the game.

 

[HuGo Sham]

Would love for Drouin to tear it up with KK. Not being "the guy" for once and being on the 3rd line may really help him. Not ready to give up on him yet but if he doesn't step up this year then I'd say he is what he is , a 50 odd point 2nd/3rd liner with inconsistencies , which is fine. Not every player is gonna be a ppg player and defence is easier to teach then offensive skill. Still an asset for us just may be a great 3rd liner and not a top offensive guy.

the only way that line works is if armia does the heavy lifting, KK dishes and Drouin shoots more..otherwise it won't. Drouin needs guys to do the dirty work --that's why losing shaw may hurt