MacKinnon on former juniors teammate Drouin: 'He wants responsibility'
Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon played his junior hockey alongside beleaguered Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jonathan Drouin, and given that MacKinnon told reporters the two have stayed in touch over the years, it was only natural for MacKinnon to weigh in on the recent trade rumors surrounding Drouin.
The 20-year-old Drouin reportedly asked for a trade out of Tampa Bay, according to his agent, which is not surprising considering Drouin has failed to earn a prominent role with the Lightning in the two-plus years since Tampa selected Drouin with the third overall pick of the 2013 NHL Draft.
MacKinnon told reporters from The Tampa Tribune that Drouin is a slow starter and will be successful one day in the NHL.
Via The Tampa Tribune:
“He’s going to do very well wherever he goes in the right situation,’’ MacKinnon said. “He just wants responsibility. I think in Tampa he feels he didn’t get a lot of responsibility. For Jo, I wish the best for him and I hope he does well wherever he goes. ...
"I know he really loves Tampa and wanted to be there for a long time. We’ll see. They’ll definitely miss him for sure."
Drouin posted 32 points in 70 games for the Lightning last season, but he scored just four goals on the year. He was scratched during most of Tampa Bay's playoff run in April and May. Drouin posted eight points (two goals, six assists) in 19 games for the Lightning this season before he was sent down to AHL Syracuse on Jan. 2.
Meanwhile there are multiple teams who are rumored to have shown interest in Drouin, who remains an intriguing prospect despite his failures in Tampa Bay.
