Seriously...he had some nice shifts out there, showed some good things. That's about it.
Player Discussion Jonathan Drouin----Nothing burger edition.
- Thread starter OldCraig71
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Wow...really going out on a limb here suggesting things will change for us if one of our guys comes out of his shell and produces around 50G+ 100pts+...
Yes, if we get a superstar type in Drouin, things will change. Not sure who ever argued against this..
BenchBrawl
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Obviously, it's not my main point. My point is that we ABSOLUTELY need Drouin to become a star if we want to win the Stanley Cup in the next 5-7 years. Maybe not a Lafleur-level star (I mean, who is?), but a solid 80+ pts scorer year in year out.
If we accept this as an axiom, then all the talk about trading him, or "punishing" him because he's not playing well, or anything of that flavor, is counterproductive. Even being on his case nonestop from the media or what not = counterproductive.
We need him, let him play, give him a lot of icetime, even if it costs the team a few points. Doesn't matter. It's worth sacrificing this season if it means having a better chance that Drouin will blow up, which would lead to a much better 5-7 years window overall.
BenchBrawl
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Also let's face it, no one has the potential to be a Lafleur-like star except Drouin. There is within him the potential for this to happen. It might not happen. But it CERTAINLY won't happen in any other player we have (or any player we trade him for given his current value). With him, it's possible. Hence play him a lot, let him find his next level, and hope for the best. It's the right decision whether or not he blows up.
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BenchBrawl
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I should stop using Guy Lafleur as the comparison; Lafleur is too big a name, he was too good, too legendary, so it comes with a lot of baggage.
Here's a better one: We need Drouin to be the equivalent of 07-08 Kovalev for many years.
Here's a better one: We need Drouin to be the equivalent of 07-08 Kovalev for many years.
DangerDave
Mete's Shot
Play like this 1 out of every 2 games and I'll be happy. That was the Drouin I was hoping we traded for.
Yeah and if Domi becomes like Denis Savard at his apogee. What exactly are you really telling us?
And I'd be happy to trade him. His stretch was so bad I think we lowered the bar some. He wasn't fantastic or great by comparison to the greats but perhaps to that former self.
In 5-7 years the team will likely not resemble what it looks now...
We dont need Drouin specifically to be a superstar. Suzuki, KK, Domi....as long as 1-2 of them become serious dominant players, whoever does it matters little.
For Drouin, it's more a question of whether or not that ship has sailed. Personally, I never changed my view, hes a top 6 guy and like most, he'll be inconsistent.
habergeon
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What he showed me is what he showed me in junior. His problems are between his ears.
He can control his effort and his preparation. Last night proved that, and when he shows up he can look fantastic. I just hope he continues bringing the same effort to each and every shift going forward, and I've been hoping that since he was 16 years old.
Censored Toad
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Good First game however to draw such conclusions that he is a bang or bust after 1 game would be totally foolish.
Larger sample required ... NEEED MORE DATA!!!!
Larger sample required ... NEEED MORE DATA!!!!
I disagree. There's this misconception that consistency is purely a cerebral issue, it's not, it's mostly physical. Your physical conditioning/attributes are the main driver of your effort, not your mind.
Drouin plays like he did in juniors, tries the same things. That's just how he plays and I don't see it changing. I don't think he's mentally weak.
I wish there was a "dislike" button on HF for this post.
I mean - don't get me wrong, I thought you were crazy for thinking Drouin ~ Lafleur, but you still had me excited lol. You kept pumping him up and i was like "whoa, Lafleur? That would be cool!"
And then you end it with "Ok not Lafleur, Kovalev". Talk about sucking the air out lol. Kovalev was a likeable player and all, talented and such - but Kovalev isn't exactly the type of player that leads you to a cup. I'd rather have Lafleur...
Sure - let's wait and see. The one thing I'll say is everyone panicking over training camp seemed unnecessary. Wait till the season to judge, Drouin and all other players. I'm hoping he'll have a strong year. I still see ppg potential in him.
Ozmodiar
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Kovy was an excellent playoff performer. His production actually went up in the playoffs. 31/33 - Pts/GP for the Habs, for example.
Of course anyone would rather Lafleur. Goes without saying.
Oh i'm sure Kovalev was a fine playoff performer. But I lived through those years, and at no point did I find myself thinking "nice, we have Kovalev, we're gonna win a cup!".
Lafleur sounded more exciting...
HockeyDBspecialist
Habs 2019 cup champ
It pisses me off so much to see someone with such qualities in his overall tools but CAN'T FINISH OR AIM ACCURATELY.
Swear, Armia could be in the Mark Stone level of talent if he had more capability to finish plays and shoot better.
A Loyal Demidog
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BJCOLLINS
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Loved Kovalev but he was notorious for being “asleep at the wheel” & taking games off. He was Great in the playoffs & especially when the opposition woke him up with a big hit.....? JD doesn’t show that type of ability.
Drouin is a young man who is now wealthy beyond his wildest dreams playing hockey? His battle now exists within the 6 inches between his ears. He has already been paid for “how he plays”?
Fans want more. So what? Jo has to want to be more, internal fortitude if you will. IMHO.
Drouin is a young man who is now wealthy beyond his wildest dreams playing hockey? His battle now exists within the 6 inches between his ears. He has already been paid for “how he plays”?
Fans want more. So what? Jo has to want to be more, internal fortitude if you will. IMHO.
Yup, people forget this about Kovalev and always have a romanticized view of him. Kovalev, never gave 100% every game. But there were games he would just single handedly take control of the game. I honestly don't care if Drouin is streaky... a lot of players are. All i want is when Drouin is being streaky: a) not to be a liability out there and b) not bring his linemates down. I expect great things of Drouin and personally think the best is yet to come.
Tighthead
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And don't be a lazy waste of space in the other ones.
The Real Timo
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Can't complain about Drouin last night... the thing is... he has to be like that come February until the very last game of the season. This will not erase the BS he pulled last year.
Lol... one of the play by play guys yesterday was saying that perhaps Clod should give him PK duties. I think it's not a horrible idea. He doesn't need to be physical, he just needs to be fast (which he is) and maintain the right position.
Lol... one of the play by play guys yesterday was saying that perhaps Clod should give him PK duties. I think it's not a horrible idea. He doesn't need to be physical, he just needs to be fast (which he is) and maintain the right position.
peate
Smiley
Only one good game is enough to silence some of the detractors, let's hope it continues cause a bad game vs the Laffs, and they'll be back in force.
I repeat this a lot, but Drouin is an excellent complimentary player and being paid as such to boot.
Give him slightly easier matchups 5v5 (2-line or 3rd line), and let him get lots of PP time. We seem to have the depth to do that now.
People need to stop expecting him to be a superstar. We do this all the time with talented players.
It's okay to be "really good" at hockey, and not become a superstar.
If it angers you that a player doesn't meet your expectations (or that of media "experts"), that's on you. The hatred this kid gets based on fantasy dreams is stupid.
Give him slightly easier matchups 5v5 (2-line or 3rd line), and let him get lots of PP time. We seem to have the depth to do that now.
People need to stop expecting him to be a superstar. We do this all the time with talented players.
It's okay to be "really good" at hockey, and not become a superstar.
If it angers you that a player doesn't meet your expectations (or that of media "experts"), that's on you. The hatred this kid gets based on fantasy dreams is stupid.
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