(Brossard) So, is Jonathan Drouin still part of the plans for the Canadiens?
Posted at 3:33 p.m.
Updated at 5:43 p.m.
The question arises, and that’s good, since it was asked of Martin St-Louis after Monday’s training in Brossard.
Some 48 hours from the start of the season, and if we are to believe the trios that were composed on this holiday, Jonathan Drouin looks like a player who is too many for the Canadiens.
But Martin St-Louis was careful not to go there.
“He’s in my plans,” replied the Montreal coach. His potential is intact, that’s for sure. Now it’s about helping him reach that potential. »
At 27, with a last year of contract at $ 5.5 million, the Quebec player may also be classified in a box other than that of potential. In fact, there is another question that arises: can the Canadian afford to wait for Jonathan Drouin for a long time like this?
“During the camp, he ran out of time, and he lags behind the others in terms of physical conditioning,” added St-Louis. He’s coming back from an injury, we have 15 forwards and that’s something I have to deal with.
“Every guy has value, and it’s up to them to increase it. When his value goes well, Jonathan is going to be in a position of success. »
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Jonathan Drouin, last April
What also complicates things for the Canadian is the situation with the injured. Paul Byron still has a locker in Brossard, but no one has seen him on his skates since a wick, and we don’t even know when he will be able to put the equipment back on. The Canadian could place his name on the long-term injured list.
Joel Armia still has one to two weeks, Emil Heineman six weeks.
In defense, it’s still a bit complicated. Joel Edmundson skated alone on Monday, but he won’t be playing the first game of the season Wednesday night at the Bell Centre. Mike Matheson is said to be closing in on a comeback, and Logan Mailloux is also recovering from injury, but in his case, a return to junior hockey awaits with the London Knights.
A question of making room for all these beautiful people and preparing for 2022-2023, the Canadian has therefore announced the dismissal of five players in the direction of Laval, namely Justin Barron, Rafaël Harvey-Pinard, Otto Leskinen, Cayden Primeau and Jesse Ylönen. .
These decisions ensure that Juraj Slafkovsky, Kaiden Guhle, Jordan Harris and Arber Xhekaj will be able to start the season with the club; Xhekaj was transferred to Laval late Monday afternoon, but only for administrative reasons, and he will be at his post Tuesday morning in Brossard.
The young survivors all had a broad smile on this Monday morning in Brossard, but Slafkovsky recalled that the most complicated end is to be able to stay.
“I believed in it, replied the young 18-year-old striker. I am happy with this decision, but I also know that I still have work to do. The management met with us all together, all the young people, to tell us that we were staying, but we also understand that we will have to earn this position every day. »
Martin St-Louis also had another message for those who had to go back to Laval.
“For players who have been cut, it’s not the end… it’s the first day of the rest of their lives. The idea is to keep working for what you want in life. Nothing is given. These players have a bright future, it’s just not today. »
Finally, in the case of Jonathan Drouin, the future may be something else. Nebulous? No doubt, yes.
“For sure, maybe I didn’t have the best training camp,” he admitted. I’m coming back from an injury and I was eight months without being able to play. My timing isn’t on point and it’s going a little fast on the ice… but I can’t do anything but work and roll up my sleeves. »