The animosity towards Drouin is huge from parts of the fanbase. We're not talking about constructive criticism or anything close to that he should handle like a man, as some are suggesting.
Either posters haven't been reading the vitriol against Drouin that just gets personal or are deliberately ignoring it.
I don't know what the probe with Drouin was. For all I know it could have been elephant ballsack syndrome that made simply walking difficult for him -- that's how little genuine info has come out concernant his cryptic condition.
Personally, I'm nor réassurer to hear he is simply coming back for training camp without more context, but suggesting this or that about an allegedly washed up or chronically fragile 26-yr-old is just fuelled by a dislike of the player to begin with, IMO.
Nothing to build a lineup around with certainty, for sure, given the complete lack of information, but not an automatic fail either, until we know more.
At his best, Drouin is not a bad addition to the lineup as a much needed talented LW:
Hoffman - Suzuki - Caufield
Toffoli - Kotkaniemi - Gallagher
Drouin - Poehling - Anderson
Lehkonen - Evans - Armia
Perreault, Paquette
On paper, at least, given the skill level, how can you not like this lineup of forwards?
On the Suzuki line, both Hoffman and Caufield are pure snipers with an extremely intelligent C that has great vision and passing skills. The wingers both like to migrate to their offsides to exploit their accrurate shots. This will make for scoring opportunities from anywhere on the ice in the O-zone. Hard to defend against.
Toffoli gives KK a real shot option, with Gallagher drawing attention from opposing Ds in front of the net, allowing Tofolli to get lost somewhere on the ice from which position he can take one-times unhindered. KK can dit the puck out and set up both wingers and support Gallagher for loose puck in front of the opposing net.
Drouin can spring Anderson to use his speed and Poehling and Anderson bring size to Shelter Drouin. Anderson and Drouin bring speed to the line.
Lehkonen - Evans - Armia is the epitome of a forechecking fourth line that is strong on puck possession, enough to wear out opposing Ds and improve the production of the entire lineup as the games wear on.
Both Paquette (at C) and Perreault (at W, first and foremost, but at C as well in a pinch) are great depth additions in case of injuries as both Lehkonen and Armia can play up in the depth chart as needed.
As an added bonus, on the Suzuki line, Hoffman adds speed and Caufield, while not a roadrunner, has réceptive breakaway speed that can enable him to shed a flat-footed D.
I like the skill, the speed, the size, the forechecking and the puck possession skills of this forward lineup, provided Drouin is back in top form. If not, we are short a skilled LW. I would have been ecstatic if we had been the ones to acquire Saad for 4.5M.
Hoffman - Suzuki - Caufield
Toffoli - Kotkaniemi - Gallagher
Saad - Poehling - Anderson
Lehkonen - Evans - Armia
Perreault, Paquette
. For the record, that would really piss me off too, but not as much as it would make me laugh.
