Drouin gives us a big update on his health and also spoke about his current favourite prospect

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Jeff Drouin
August 9, 2022 (10:27)

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This past weekend, Jonathan Drouin was in town for the National Bank Open to play a friendly ball hockey game, and as my colleague Keven Mawn of Fanadiens.com reports, No. 92 didn't seem at all bothered by the wrist injury that forced him to miss most of last season, during which he played in only 34 games.

"It's all over. I started skating again, started playing hockey again. It feels good to play hockey for real, not just skating around for 2-3 months.

Rehabilitation was great. Unfortunately, it happened to my other wrist, so I kind of knew what to expect. I think I owe a lot to the Canadiens' medical team.

I don't think my wrist will ever be the way it was, it's part of the business, it's part of the sport that we play. I'll tell you there are times that it's a little bit stiffer than others."

Afterwards, Drouin told the media that he was very much looking forward to finally playing under Martin St. Louis.

"I'm most excited about playing with Martin between now and the start of the season. I've barely played with Martin. Everyone talks about the big change we had with the coach, but I think I played a game and a half under Martin St. Louis! I can't wait for practice and games to start again to get on board with it all."

Afterwards, he commented on the changes made by the organization's new leaders, Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes, and he praised one of the team's selections in the last draft, a certain Lane Hutson.

"I think it's going in a really good direction with the Canadiens. We had a great draft this year. You even look at Lane Hutson, he's an extremely talented player. He may not be ready to play in the NHL in the next couple of years, but it's a project."

Drouin scored 20 points in 2021-2022 in just 34 games and will be playing out the final year of his $5.5 million contract, and despite some trade rumors, it's a safe bet that he'll be pumped up when training camp opens this September.