Jonathan Drouin is the new Phil Kessel

[MapleLeafs9]

It's actually hilarious how similar their situations are. Wingers, 1st 2 years are "okayish" with their teams that drafted them, career years in their 3rd seasons, then traded the following off-season at the same age and signed to long term deals worth 5.4-5.5M per.

Phil Kessel:

2006-2007 - 11G, 18A, 29P

2007-2008 - 19G, 18A, 37P

2008-2009 - 36G, 24A, 60P

2009 - Traded to TOR at age 22

Jonathan Drouin:

2014-2015 - 4G, 28A, 32P

2015-2016 - 4G, 6A, 10P

2016-2017 - 21G, 32A, 53P

2017 - Traded to MTL at age 22

They were both praised and criticized for pretty much the same things. Fast skilled wingers that had potential to be game changers, with questions about their defensive play and/or attitudes. Lets hope Drouin doesn't become a big meme like Kessel did.

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[goonybird]

Drouin is criticized for publicly demanding a trade - tanking his trade value at the time - and refusing to play. Everyone understands that he's a good player.

 

[BostonBob]

As a Bruins fan I'm OK with this comparison only if Drouin doesn't win a Stanley Cup until he is with his 3rd NHL team.

 

[Ocoee]

Drouin is a great player but he just seems like such a ****** bag.

 

[Leonardo87]

Wonder if Drouin likes hot dogs.

 

[Terrible GM]

Like Kessel with Toronto, Drouin will play without a #1 centre.

 

[Internet Explorer]

What is his stance on hot dogs?

 

[Mugzy97]

Different styles of play though in terms of getting points. Kessel is North-South and Drouin is more East-West, Kessel better shot, Drouin better playmaking ability

 

[Freedom]

Drouin is really great talent. His speed is impressive and puck-handling is great but I don´t think that will be able to reach offensive skills of Kessel. Especially carry his own line and be so important player in POs. Kessel´s POs and playmaking abilities were always underestimated. We will see but now I must say no.

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

Drouin is criticized for publicly demanding a trade - tanking his trade value at the time - and refusing to play. Everyone understands that he's a good player.

Honestly, he earned the right to demand a trade. He was not being used right and had the potential to put up 70 points.

Personally, I think Tampa will regret doing the trade and not playing him. I expect him to be awesome with Montreal. If he can find chemistry with Gally they should make the playoffs.

 

[East Coast Icestyle]

Drouin is a great player but he just seems like such a ****** bag.

He was one of the nicest players to come through Halifax. His issues are his parents.

 

[Kamiccolo]

Only difference is Montreal didn't give up the 2nd OA pick for him.

 

[K Fleur]

Different styles of play though in terms of getting points. Kessel is North-South and Drouin is more East-West, Kessel better shot, Drouin better playmaking ability

Arguable at best.

 

[mtlmonk]

Honestly, he earned the right to demand a trade. He was not being used right and had the potential to put up 70 points.

Personally, I think Tampa will regret doing the trade and not playing him. I expect him to be awesome with Montreal. If he can find chemistry with Gally they should make the playoffs.

Galchy you mean

 

[Mugzy97]

Arguable at best.

I mean Drouin's playmaking ability is better than Drouin's shooting ability, and Kessel's shooting ability is better than Kessel's playmaking ability.

 

[K Fleur]

I mean Drouin's playmaking ability is better than Drouin's shooting ability, and Kessel's shooting ability is better than Kessel's playmaking ability.

Ah gotcha. I definitely agree with that.

 

[Deam78]

Galchy you mean

Actually Galchenyuk's nickname was Gally in the junior. Had to switch that with the emergence of Gallagher. So no harm, no foul.

 

[ZMachine]

What is his stance on hot dogs?

He likes them, but calls them sausages. He likes them cooked over a candle, then washed in the bathroom sink with soap and water or just put in the blender with peach juice for a nice smoothie.

 

[HOPE]

Galchy you mean

galchy sounds like ****. you either call him Chucky or his full name.

 

[Legionnaire11]

Honestly, he earned the right to demand a trade. He was not being used right and had the potential to put up 70 points.

Personally, I think Tampa will regret doing the trade and not playing him. I expect him to be awesome with Montreal. If he can find chemistry with Gally they should make the playoffs.

At the time, he was being used properly because he wasn't doing the things that the coach was asking him to do.

The trade demand and demotion were more on his agent, and it ended up being a somewhat humbling experience where Drouin learned that he needed to act like a professional, get his total game in order and earn his ice time.

I also don't believe Tampa will regret this move as they still have a very potential top-6. If anything it's Montreal who will regret the trade, and not because of Drouin. He will be fantastic, but the defense is underwhelming without much help coming and they didn't address their center depth.

 

[RDTBay4]

After he turns on turnover machine mode, you'll be demanding a trade also.

 

[KevSkillz4]

Yeah. Drouin is a playmaker (can score) and Kessel is a sniper (can pass), but the situation are similar. Two amazing player with great hands.

 

[KevSkillz4]

Like Kessel with Toronto, Drouin will play without a #1 centre.

Galchenyuk.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

except for the character, sense of humor and of course the hotdogs. Kessel would love the steamys in Montreal

 

[Flair Hay]

Drouin is a great player but he just seems like such a ****** bag.

I think he was hello immature and entitled in Tampa but he's already been good enough. Sometimes high picks think they should get to skip the lessons a 24 year old AHL player would because they're talented.

Trouble with trading these guys is they are irreplaceable once they figure it out.

As long as Sergachev turns out Tampa did okay. But Drouin will probably be a top five winger when he's a little more grizzled I'm a few years.