Quote:
Originally Posted by blankall
I actually understand where Jonathan Drouin is coming from and don't think he is out of line.
The NHL has changed. If you look at the figures, forwards peak at 24-25 and usually go through a fairly sharp decline at 27. This idea that every young player has to learn a solid two way game and pay his dues in the minors simply doesn't jive with reality anymore.
If you're a top talent and your playing in a system with an old school development program, it can be disastrous to your career. Your window in the new NHL is tiny.
Drouin paid his dues when he destroyed the Q, and when given opportunities in the NHL he's shown he can score there too. Him being sent down everytime he has a 4 game dry spell is absurd. Particularly when he's been given minimal ice time. You can call Drouin "whiny" or selfish, but the simple fact of the matter is that professional sports is a cut throat business. If you don't act selfishly, you won't get the opportunities you otherwise would.
Drouin will be turning 21 shortly. He should be getting the prime ice time, as he is entering his peak production years. If he waits until he's 23 or 24 then he's left with a very short time to actually play in the NHL at a peak level. If Tampa can't provide him with that opportunity, it's time to get out.
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With Hudler being injured this team could use another top 6 with similar ability.