Last chance for Jonathan Drouin with the Habs?

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Last chance for Jonathan Drouin with the Habs?
Jonathan Drouin is still a player with a lot of potential. A first-round pick in 2013, Drouin had a bright future ahead of him.

  Jonathan Drouin, at a crossroads

Jonathan Drouin, at a crossroads
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
The Tampa Bay Lightning selected him 3rd overall, behind Nathan MacKinnon and Aleksander Barkov!

  Jonathan Drouin at a crossroads

Jonathan Drouin at a crossroads
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
The difficulties then followed as time went on, so much so that to this day we wonder who the real field hockey player named Jonathan Drouin is.

  Jonathan Drouin, at the crossroads

Jonathan Drouin, at the crossroads
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
From 3rd overall in 2013, then, Drouin returns to the QMJHL with Halifax for one final season, where he scores 108 points in 46 games. He's ready for the NHL.

  Jonathan Drouin at a crossroads

Jonathan Drouin at a crossroads
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
But Jonathan Drouin's debut was ultimately modest, with four goals and 32 points in 70 games in his rookie season.

  Jonathan Drouin at the crossroads

Jonathan Drouin at the crossroads
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
The following year, he split his time between the National Hockey League and the American Hockey League, building up a fragile confidence.

  Jonathan Drouin at a crossroads

Jonathan Drouin at a crossroads
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
Drouin actually had a very good playoff run in 2016, with 5 goals and 14 points in 17 games.

  Jonathan Drouin at the crossroads

Jonathan Drouin at the crossroads
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
The following season, Drouin continued to produce with more consistency: 21 goals and 53 points in 73 games.

  Jonathan Drouin at the crossroads

Jonathan Drouin at the crossroads
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
Still in his early 20s, Drouin continues to improve.

  Jonathan Drouin, at a crossroads

Jonathan Drouin, at a crossroads
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
Then came June 15, 2017, when general manager Marc Bergevin announced a trade between the Montreal Canadiens and the Tampa Bay Lightning.

  Jonathan Drouin at a crossroads

Jonathan Drouin at a crossroads
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
Jonathan Drouin in Montreal, Mikhail Sergachev in Tampa. One on one with his counterpart Steve Yzerman.

  Jonathan Drouin at a crossroads

Jonathan Drouin at a crossroads
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
Some have given the runner a chance, as Drouin likely has the potential to explode. But letting Sergachev go gave many observers cold feet, praising his qualities.

  Jonathan Drouin at a crossroads

Jonathan Drouin at a crossroads
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
Upon his arrival in Montreal, Drouin signed a contract worth a total of $33 million.

  Jonathan Drouin at a crossroads

Jonathan Drouin at a crossroads
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
This deal expires at the end of the season, which will begin shortly. Drouin has a lot of work to do to convince the new staff to keep his services.

  Jonathan Drouin at a crossroads

Jonathan Drouin at a crossroads
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
Drouin never exploded in Montreal. His best season was 2018-19, with 18 goals and 53 points in 81 games.

  Jonathan Drouin at a crossroads

Jonathan Drouin at a crossroads
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
The last few years have also been marked by personal problems. Field hockey could no longer be a priority, and understandably so.

  Jonathan Drouin at a crossroads

Jonathan Drouin at a crossroads
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
Drouin now looks like he's back to his best, showing good form in training camp.

  Jonathan Drouin at the crossroads

Jonathan Drouin at the crossroads
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
He'll have to, as one of his challenges will be to stay healthy, and play as many games as possible.

  Jonathan Drouin at a crossroads

Jonathan Drouin at a crossroads
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
Jonathan Drouin will be 28 next summer when it's time to negotiate a new contract.

  Jonathan Drouin at a crossroads

Jonathan Drouin at a crossroads
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
Drouin will be free to negotiate this new deal with the team of his choice.

  Jonathan Drouin at a crossroads

Jonathan Drouin at a crossroads
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
Unless the Habs decide to open up discussions during the season?

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