How in the world is Drouin comparable to a guy like Gomez?
The problem with Gomez is not that he was a bad player, the problem is that he was done!
Are you implying Drouin is done at 23 years old?
Even if Drouin never reaches his full potential he will still be a serviceable player for a long time.
Gomez gave us one decent season and then he was worthless!
This comparison makes no sense whatsoever.
No Gomez went back to Jersey 4 years after the habs and put up 34 points in 58 games. And his second season with us he almost had 40 points. You know the kind of production that had you claiming Dan-O was a first line center.
Gomez was a major disappointment, but I remember watching his play and he never struck me as straight up lazy unlike drouin. Gomez felt 'done' in that final year, but he even bounced back from it after leaving the toxic montreal atmosphere.
When everyone is booing you, likely while injured, your confidence will take a hit. Drouin better up his game or the boo birds will be out to get him soon enough. He can't hide behind 'our only option at centre' anymore because we have reset as Burningbin said. I don't see a 12 point season in drouins future. But another 40 point lazy season will seem mighty bad if Serge puts up 50 points as a dman while playing with intensity.
For the record I believe Serge will have a modest season as its his sophomore year. That being said, drouin has to be more than just serviceable for a long time. You don't pay 5.5 million and have press conferences for someone that is serviceable . Chuck was serviceable and better but he was tossed away. You better add more value than a fourth line LW at 5.5 million