I hope you're right. I want proof not promises. Skilled wingers normally can come in and start producing immediately. Defensemen on the other hand, especially big guys like Jones, take a long time to develop, just like Hedman.
Jones is already a very solid #4. He's ahead of his developmental curve, and looks to be an all everything #1 D once he reaches his ceiling. Drouin will have his work cut out for him if he's going to overtake Jones in my eyes. Not to say Drouin hasn't shown some good stuff himself, I would just easily give the nod to Jones at this point.
Also, OP, Jones wouldn't have had a massive impact in the playoffs as he'd probably be getting the same treatment Kucherov and Drouin received. Replacing Sustr with him, would be a slight upgrade, nothing series changing.
It's definitely some blind optimism on my part. I'm just sick of hearing about we should have drafted Jones. Enough already. It's done and there's no going back. Drouin has just started and hasn't been given the opportunities Jones has. If he busts I'll admit it but so far he hasn't even had the chance to bust.