Player Discussion Jonathan Drouin - Guy Laflamme edition

[Genesis76]

I'd say that's probably one of the primary skills you learn by playing in the NHL. How to play smart, effective hockey against equally talented players.

Drouin is too far behind on that departement, it’s like trying to teach a pee-wee how to defend againts Ovechking.

 

[Genesis76]

Disagree on Pacioretty. He is nowhere near as gifted as Drouin and if people wanted more out of him then it was because of the ridiculous decision to give him the C, which raised expectations.

He is a north south sniper who is streaky. Nothing more nothing less.

Drouin is very gifted you’re tight.

Pacioretty was alot smarter and useful when he was younger. Maybe the Chara hit caused him some severe brain damage, who knows.

 

[26Mats]

only means something in the all star competitions.

You’ve got to want IT. Domi does. Gallagher does. 76 did when he was here.

and 47, and 79, and I would argue 27.

67, not so much at the end.

 

[26Mats]

Drouin is very gifted you’re tight.

Pacioretty was alot smarter and useful when he was younger. Maybe the Chara hit caused him some severe brain damage, who knows.

The Chara hit happened right before he scored 30 or more 6 seasons in a row (adjusting for the lockout season)

 

[Genesis76]

Patio ready came before the C. His **** playoff performances came before the C.

I didn't say they had same style. I'm saying they were both best forward but not good enough.

Best forward? Not sure about that.
He just scored alot of goals And he needed his teamates to do all the work

 

[LyricalLyricist]

Best forward? Not sure about that.
He just scored alot of goals And he needed his teamates to do all the work

Don't forget who he played with. At times it was Pacioretty-Desharnais and Weise.

I'm glad Max has been traded but lets give him an ounce of respect too.

Since he broke out in 2011-12 he led the team in points...6/7 years. The last year he was injured on and off.

 

[Genesis76]

Don't forget who he played with. At times it was Pacioretty-Desharnais and Weise.

I'm glad Max has been traded but lets give him an ounce of respect too.

Since he broke out in 2011-12 he led the team in points...6/7 years. The last year he was injured on and off.

Oh come on man he was REALLY good the first 3 years after that the coaches were over using him like 20 mins a game. They sheltered his minutes too. Instead of giving galchenyuk a chance to prove himself they were rolling with Patioready.

 

[LyricalLyricist]

Oh come on man he was REALLY good the first 3 years after that the coaches were over using him like 20 mins a game. They sheltered his minutes too. Instead of giving galchenyuk a chance to prove himself they were rolling with Patioready.

Galchenyuk was heavily sheltered...

 

[Genesis76]

Galchenyuk was heavily sheltered...

Well he was a third pick overall with alot of potential and skills...skills that patioready never had.

 

[LyricalLyricist]

Well he was a third pick overall with alot of potential and skills...skills that patioready never had.

Sure but max had skills he didn’t have either.

 

[Deluded Puck]

Patio ready came before the C. His **** playoff performances came before the C.

I didn't say they had same style. I'm saying they were both best forward but not good enough.

I think you will be proven right. Drouin is a bigger disappointment for me though, no doubt.

 

[S Bah]

The Habs / Scotty Bowman brought Lafleur along slowly. First 3 yrs. he learned to become a well rounded more complete player.(200 ft. Game) All Habs players were expected to play both offensively & defensively, emphasis upon the deficiencies in their game.

Playing good defence creates more offensive opportunities, Drouin realizes this fact. I believe his game will flourish from learning to play a complete game. Every star player learned to play this way, or never achieved the level of play they should have.

 

[S Bah]

I remember watching Gomez one game when he was with the rangers and thinking he can rush the puck up the ice like no one else, therefore he's a great player.

It's flawed reasoning. In today's game, where goalies are really good, it's not enough to rush the puck up the ice and take a slap shot from far out. You need to also be able to have a lot of skill and hockey sense to consistently create quality scoring chances. Unless Drouin can develop that, he won't be a modern day Lafleur.

This is true with every player, having great offensive instincts & talent will only take one so far. When these types of players get the importance of having a complete game, then apply the work ethic necessary to be a complete player, they become a force to contend for the Stanley Cup. Otherwise they are flash in the pan offensive players, with short careers.

It's easy for fans to point out shortcomings of players, extremely hard for offensive stars to become proficient defensively. The Habs are being patient while Drouin meshes both games at the NHL level. The Habs fans will reap the benefits soon enough.

 

[Genesis76]

Sure but max had skills he didn’t have either.

You're good, you're very good.

 

[Max2]

He’s in what - year 4 or 5 now? I don’t think you can develop “hockey IQ” ; either you have it or you don’t. Most developments are physical.

Exactly,that's the thing with him

 

[Captain Mountain]

He’s in what - year 4 or 5 now? I don’t think you can develop “hockey IQ” ; either you have it or you don’t. Most developments are physical.

He's in his 5th professional season and D+6 season. He has over 300 NHL games experience. He might be able to find another gear, but chances are this is what he is.

Which is a fine player, but he's a PP specialist (he's 7th in ES P/60 among Habs forwards) on a team with a truly dreadful PP. Maybe you can wring more production from him if he was better surrounded, but he's not one of the guys you build your team around.

 

[Belial]

He's in his 5th professional season and D+6 season. He has over 300 NHL games experience. He might be able to find another gear, but chances are this is what he is.

Which is a fine player, but he's a PP specialist (he's 7th in ES P/60 among Habs forwards) on a team with a truly dreadful PP. Maybe you can wring more production from him if he was better surrounded, but he's not one of the guys you build your team around.

Weird post when he finally started producing at even strength..

 

[Habs Halifax]

Players of Drouin’s talent don’t need better players....they have the ability to make players around them better. Has it occurred to anyone that Drouin is simply overrated? The AHL is mired with great skaters who couldn’t make it. Drouin has limited hockey sense and can’t make plays at high speeds.
Last year we said that his “off year” was due to him playing center. What’s the excuse this year? Gallagher isn’t good enough? Domi? Danault? He plays on the first PP unit and we have the worst PP in the league. For a guy with so much speed and talent how on earth is he averaging under a point a game?

Drouin is not the type that makes players around him better. He is not elite level. He is a top 6 forward and potentially a top line winger depending on who he plays with.

Drouin is only overrated if you think he is elite level and makes players around him better. Once you realize he is not that type, you start to realize he is not overrated. He is who he is.

 

[nhlfan9191]

Oh come on man he was REALLY good the first 3 years after that the coaches were over using him like 20 mins a game. They sheltered his minutes too. Instead of giving galchenyuk a chance to prove himself they were rolling with Patioready.

You should stick to another sport. You’re awful at accessing any part of hockey.

 

[Genesis76]

You should stick to another sport. You’re awful at accessing any part of hockey.

no i disagree with you i think you’re awful at it.

Stick to curling brah.


See how easy that was?

 

[nhlfan9191]

no i disagree with you i think you’re awful at it.

Stick to curling brah.


See how easy that was?

Hockey isn’t for you. No shame in that. But stop talking when it comes to it. It’s painful. Just stop.

 

[CauZuki]

Disagree on Pacioretty. He is nowhere near as gifted as Drouin and if people wanted more out of him then it was because of the ridiculous decision to give him the C, which raised expectations.

He is a north south sniper who is streaky. Nothing more nothing less.

Pacioretty was a top 5 goal scorer in the league for over half a decade , remind me why that isn't considered "gifted". Pacioretty has a bland personality but was ruined by the Chara hit , he never played the same after and I can't blame him. They are nothing alike imo, Drouin is enigmatic and skilled while Pacioretty also had speed but a very deceptive shot.

 

[G0bias]

Weird post when he finally started producing at even strength..

Not relative to his ES TOI, he's not.

 

[FF de Mars]

Drouin with as many points as last year's totals, with 15 less games played.

 

[cphabs]

Drouin looks like he got hit by lightning when he was 13 yeas old.