Montreal Canadiens – Jonathan Drouin
In terms of household names, Jonathan Drouin may already be in that boat. He was a highly-celebrated prospect prior to getting drafted by the Lightning, and made news after holding out out for a better opportunity elsewhere in the NHL. The Montreal Canadiens took the leap, and solidified a potential star in Drouin.
At the same time, Drouin has plenty to prove. After destroying the junior ranks alongside Nathan MacKinnon, Drouin never really found consistent success at the NHL. Add to the fact that the Canadiens used him primarily as a center last season, Drouin was totally out of place, and it showed. In 77 games, Drouin scored 13 goals with 33 assists. These totals are far below what people would have expected, and there is no doubt he expects to improve on those numbers moving forward.
This season, with reports of Drouin playing back on the wing, there is a very good chance he takes the next leap in his career. The Canadiens are simply dying for someone to step up and take the reigns of their franchise, and Drouin could be that player. He has the skill, thehockey sense, and the poise to a be a great NHL player, but he needs to be given the opportunity in the right setting. He was in a congested system with the Lightning, and had to learn a whole new position with the Canadiens.
As he tries to reprogram himself into a top line winger in the NHL, Drouin has all the pieces to become a 60-70 point player in 2018-19. Focusing on hockey and staying healthy will be the biggest hurdles for the young forward, but Drouin looks primed for a big season with the Canadiens.