Is Jonathan Drouin in center position the solution?
Many rumors are currently circulating in Montreal as a lot of pressure is being put on Marc Bergevin's shoulders after the hostile offer from the Carolina Hurricanes.
While many would see the solution lying elsewhere in the NHL, a new option has surfaced today and it is in-house: Jonathan Drouin.
Pierre Houde reported the information after speaking with the main interested party. Drouin mentioned that he was ready to take on the challenge if the task is offered to him by the coaching staff.
Speaking of coaches, CH pilot Dominique Ducharme has already coached Drouin when he was playing center. It was in 2013 with the Halifax Mooseheads when the Quebecer had two consecutive seasons above the 100-point mark.
With the departure of Danault and the probable departure of Kotkaniemi, there is a gaping hole at the center position with the Habs. The Ste-Agathe native is one of the most experienced forwards at the center position in the entire lineup.
During his show on 91.9 Sports, Martin Lemay made an interesting point about using Drouin next year.
"Better a Drouin with good wingers than a Drouin without a center."
In the case of Jonathan Drouin, it's true to mention that he needs to play with good players to gain confidence. With last year's history, Ducharme will have to put him in the best possible situation to get that confidence back.
The Tricolore has some interesting depth at the winger level. A trio of Hoffman, Drouin and Anderson could be an interesting combination for the CH to use.
Bergevin will have to move quickly as we are at the beginning of the training camps in the NHL. If the general manager can't find an interesting option on the market, will Drouin be the player used as a 2nd center? He thinks he can do it, now it's up to him to prove it!
