In the first blockbuster of the 2017 NHL off-season, Tampa Bay Lightning winger Jonathan Drouin has been dealt to the Montreal Canadiens. Drouin immediately signed a new contract with the team, and called moving to Montreal the fulfillment of a boyhood dream.
The Canadiens acquire Jonathan Drouin + a cond. 6th-round pick (2018) from TBL, in return for M. Sergachev + a cond. 2nd-round pick (2018).
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) June 15, 2017
6 x $5.5M for Drouin: https://t.co/zGrrwB5PX4
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 15, 2017
Jonathan Drouin Traded to Montreal Canadiens
Drouin is coming off his best season in the NHL. He recorded a career high 53 points in 73 games. 21 of those points were goals, marking the first time Drouin has scored more than 20 goals in a season. He was second on the team in power play points and ranked third overall on the Lightning in scoring.
The Ste-Agathe, Quebec native was selected third overall by the Lighting in the 2013 NHL draft. Drouin was dominant during his Junior hockey career. He was a member of the Halifax Mooseheads from 2011-2014. The forward recorded back to back 100+ point seasons in 2013 and 2014, both years in less than 50 games. He helped the Mooseheads win the 2013 Memorial Cup Championship. He also represented Canada twice at the World Junior Hockey Championships. Drouin tallied 13 points in 13 career games.
During his rookie season in the NHL in 2014-2015, Drouin recorded 32 points in 70 games. However, following a strong rookie campaign, Drouin began to struggle. On January 2nd 2016 he was assigned to the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL. Shortly after, news broke that the winger had requested a trade earlier in the season. Drouin played 21 games in the American Hockey League. He recorded 10 points during that time. Drouin was recalled by the Lighting on April 7th and finished the regular season with Tampa Bay. He appeared in 17 playoff games for the Lightning that season, recording 14 points.
After the season, it was reported that Drouin had withdrawn his trade request.
The prize for Tampa Bay in this deal is obviously Mikhail Sergachev, having been drafted ninth overall in last year’s draft. For a complete prospect report, check out Last Word On Hockey’s prospect guru Ben Kerr’s 2016 scouting report on the blue liner. This past season, he scored ten goals and 43 points for the Windsor Spitfires in 50 games after a 17-goal, 57-point campaign last season in 67 contests. The Lightning needed another potential high-impact puck mover in their system to complement Anton Stralman and Victor Hedman, and Steve Yzerman looks like he’s gotten his man.
The conditional picks for the 2018 draft, a 6th rounder for Montreal and a 2nd rounder for Tampa Bay, will both be voided if Sergachev plays 40 games for the Lightning next season.
Charles Hudon
In other Montreal Canadiens news, left win Charles Hudon has re-signed with the Habs. The contract is a two-year, one-way contract worth $650,000 per season. Hudon played in three games during the 2016-17 season, registering two assists during that time. Hudon also played in three games during the 2015-16 season, once again registering two assists.
https://twitter.com/CanadiensMTL/status/875447872853991424
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