It didn’t seem that it was meant to be.
Rewind back to the regular season. Back to the days when Jonathan Drouin was requesting a trade from the Tampa Bay Lightning and taking part in a rare hockey maneuver – holding out. Drouin refused to play for the Lightning and wouldn’t return to NHL action barring a trade to another team. He refused to participate in the AHL and tried to dictate where he played under an entry level contract, something that is virtually impossible to do in today’s NHL.
It was a tumultuous season for Drouin, to say the least. It was almost set in stone that Drouin was done with the Lightning and would become the player most people think he can become with a different team. But as the trade deadline passed, no trade was completed. The reality of the situation was that nobody could force Tampa Bay’s general manager, Steve Yzerman, to do anything. The Lightning had all the power and they decided to stand pat.
Not trading Drouin at the deadline was a move that raised some eyebrows, but has surely payed off with dividends.
After the deadline passed, Drouin caved. He returned to the AHL and he worked his butt off to get back with the big club. Drouin returned to the Lightning and scored two goals in his first two games to close out the regular season. Drouin was locked in and seemed like he hadn’t skipped a beat, despite missing months of game action.
In fact, he somehow looked better.
He has sustained that momentum at the end of the regular season in to the playoffs.
Drouin’s 2016 playoff stats:
– 1 goal and 8 assists in 10 games
– Averaging 16:59 ice time
– 5 power play points
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 03: Jonathan Drouin #27 of the Tampa Bay Lightning skates against the New York Islanders in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Barclays Center on May 03, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Lightning defeated the Islanders 5-4 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Drouin has thrived in the opportunity he’s been given. When the team’s star Steven Stamkos went down with injury, the Lightning needed a spark. Drouin has somewhat unexpectedly filled the void left by Stamkos. An unbelievable turn of events that comes to no surprise to Lightning head coach Jon Cooper.
“The one thing that gets missed in all of this is we never ever gave up on Jonathan.” Cooper said during the first round playoff series against the Red Wings.
Earlier in the year, all Drouin wanted was this sort of chance. The entire feud between the Lightning and Drouin was based off the lack of ice time and opportunities Drouin was provided with. Since returning, Drouin has put his money where his mouth is and proved he finally deserves what he thought he deserved all along.
Now, one must wonder how someone that caused such a debacle as Drouin did can step back in to the Bolts locker room. It didn’t seem to cause too much of a raucous.
“He’s our family member and he’s been with us, and we’re glad to have him back.” Lightning forward Tyler Johnson told NHL.com. “I don’t think anyone has ever had hard feelings or intention otherwise. For us it’s always been about winning hockey games.”
It seems to be business as usual and with things clicking on and off the ice with Drouin, the past is the past. The trade speculation has become tight-lipped as Drouin has evolved into a game changer for the Bolts. It’d be hard to foresee a situation in which Drouin would still want out of Tampa Bay.
With his teammates, coaches and general manager accepting him back, giving him the opportunity he always wanted and with him thriving in his increased role, it seems like a happy ending to a story that wasn’t supposed to have one.
With the uncertainty of Stamkos’ future, Drouin could see the already improved workload get even heavier. Drouin has translated some of the craftiness that helped him notch two straight 100+ point campaigns in the QMJHL to the NHL level. If he can continue to develop in the right environment and live up to the potential he has, he can be a dangerous player.
With Drouin excelling, the ‘Drouin saga’ seems to be ending positively for both sides. An unexpected resolution that leaves everybody happy.
