Drouin tied his career high in points with 53 (18 goals, 35 assists) in 81 games last campaign, but in retrospect, the fact that he merely matched his career high in that category was a disappointment, especially when looking at his rate of production over the first two-thirds of the season. The 24-year-old forward was sitting on 46 points after 55 games before finishing with just seven points over the final 26. To make matters worse, four of those points came in one game, and he was held scoreless in 23 of those contests. Drouin was once again an enigma for the Canadiens. The 24-year-old has tons of talent and offensive skill, but he doesn't make his linemates perceptibly better. He initially forged chemistry with Max Domi, but that didn't carry on through the second half of the campaign. He was then moved up and down the lineup, but continued to fail to mesh with new linemates. Drouin underwent offseason surgery to repair a broken nose, and it's not clear when the fracture happened, so one could argue that his injury contributed, at least in part, to his disastrous finish. Drouin will likely never develop into a high-end fantasy asset, but he'll continue to be a solid secondary option as a forward that should threaten the 20-goal, 55-point mark on a yearly basis.
Drouin's season did not work out as expected. Firstly, there was the excitement of the native Quebecois returning home to center the top line, but it didn't last. He struggled in the pivot and never developed chemistry with Max Pacioretty. His faceoff percentage barely stayed above 40, and Drouin's mediocre possession stats further complicated problems. It wasn't all bad, as he was third on the team in power-play points and its leader in assists. Down the stretch, Drouin showed improvement in the faceoff circle, winning 48.1 percent of draws while scoring 16 points over his final 20 games. That final stretch suggests a certain comfort developing but it was too little too late. Ideally, more goal production from Drouin would be nice, but his game is more about creativity and setting up linemates. With 46 of his 99 points the last two seasons coming on the power play, expect him to be relied upon heavily to produce on special teams, especially with Shea Weber out for the foreseeable future.
Drouin finally received his get-out-of-jail – we mean Tampa – card when he was traded to les bleu, blanc et rouge prior to the 2017 Entry Draft. The playmaker has the opportunity to become the next great French-speaking star in Montreal … that is, once he learns how to carry the weight of that responsibility. That shouldn't take long. Drouin stepped up last season with Steven Stamkos on the shelf and showed his coaches that he could produce when given more ice time and more responsibility. He finished with 21 goals and 53 points in 73 games. Drouin should slot onto the right side of the top line and roll on the top power-play unit, too. His creativity and vision will create plenty of opportunities for Alex Galchenyuk and Max Pacioretty, and he'll challenge for the team scoring lead. The Bolts could soon regret moving this emerging star.
Drouin sat out two months of the 2015-16 season after petulantly demanding a trade because the team demoted him to the AHL. General manager Steve Yzerman dug in for the long haul and Drouin watched his "I'm a top pick" leverage evaporate. Fast forward to late in the season and Drouin finally came back with his tail tucked between his legs. He was welcomed with no hard feelings and promptly became a critical cog in the team's playoff run. In fact, Drouin scored 14 points in the postseason – that was good enough to put him third on the team scoring list. He still struggles with the defensive side of the puck, but he is a tantalizing playmaker who should get a shot as Steven Stamkos' wingman in 2016-17. And some decent power-play time. A 50-point season awaits.
Drouin’s reputation took a big hit last season. He did fine on the ice, but fantasy owners thinking he’d be the next big thing were disappointed with 32 points, with many of them losing their shirts because they’d reached for him far too soon during the draft. People will be leery this year, and let’s be honest – Drouin could get sent to the AHL to grow his game. But he could also steal Alex Killorn’s spot on the second line and skate with that Stamkos guy. He needs to break out of his junior habits – holding the puck too long and trying to do too much, too cutely. But if he does, he could ring up 50 points, including second-unit power-play production. Jump on him if he slips in your draft.
Drouin is the league's top prospect and is about to show the NHL what he can bring to the table. Before last season, we told you he had it all -- agility, vision, skill, hockey smarts, competitiveness, soft hands and patience. He took his elite puck possession skills and conditioning to brand-new heights in the QMJHL this past season, leading the circuit in playoff points. You may not be that surprised, but his team was eliminated in the semis; he knocked home 41 points in just 16 postseason games while putting the Halifax Mooseheads on his back. He's ready for prime time and is already the preseason Calder favorite. He can play center and wing, and the Bolts hope he can eventually settle in at pivot, but they may just break him in on one of the flanks. A first full season of 60 points is a distinct possibility with a 95-point season in his future very soon. He’s worth targeting early in drafts, but note that he could be miss the first week or two of games while he recovers from a fractured thumb.
Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who’s the best fantasy prospect of them all … at least as far as the 2013 Entry Draft goes? Drouin has it all – agility, vision, skill, hockey smarts, competitiveness, soft hands and more. Add in patience and he already has elite puck possession skills. He can play both wing and center, and is built in the same sub-six-foot style as offensive dynamos like Pavel Datsyuk or Patrick Kane. Yes, he’s that good. He was named CHL Player of the Year ahead of his teammate Nathan McKinnon and projects as a better point producer. Fantasy owners should target him as their top pick from the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Then grab a wobbly pop, some popcorn and the remote, and get ready for the highlight reel moves … and goals. He could break camp on the first line. Yup, with Steven Stamkos and Marty St. Louis. Wow. Calder is calling.
