Jonathan Drouin literally pours his heart out

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MarcO
November 1, 2022 (11:12)

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Despite being healthy this season for the first time in several years, Jonathan Drouin has often been left out by Martin St-Louis up until now.

After watching the first two games in the press box in an effort to get some extra time to get back into shape, the Quebecer was once again left out by his coach last Saturday.

Despite his precarious situation, the CH's number 27 is in good spirits.

« I'm keeping the right attitude and working hard. We have 15 forwards, so I know that some nights it's going to be my turn to jump." - Jonathan Drouin

As Jonathan Bernier of TVA Sports reports, this attitude is a big contrast to the one he showed in his rookie season, after being left out of 12 games in his first stint in the Lightning organization and refusing to report to the Syracuse Crunch.

According to Drouin, it's much easier now to absorb such decisions and he says he enjoys the constant communication with St. Louis.

« It's easier now than it was then. When you're 18 or 19, you're embarrassed to go knock on the coach's door and ask him questions. I have a great relationship with Martin. It's easy to talk about hockey with him. As soon as I saw the lineup, I had a conversation with Martin." - Jonathan Drouin

Even though he is placed on the bridge, Drouin wants to take positives from every situation.

« I am a student of the game. Even from above, you can learn things. Even at 27 years old. For example, you can learn things about your team, about your own teammates; guys you might be playing with in a week or two.

Sometimes you also realize things. You realize you have more time with the puck than you think. » - Jonathan Drouin

It is clear that the surplus of forwards in the lineup makes it difficult for the coach to make tough decisions, but also for the players to give up their spots more frequently.

However, players should use this pressure of potentially losing their position as an extra motivation to do well and Drouin needs to learn from his removal from the lineup.