• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • Atlantic Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Metropolitan Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Dallas Stars
      • Minnesota Wild
      • Nashville Predators
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • Pacific Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle NHL
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • THW Archives
  • More…
    • Columns
    • NWHL
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • Long Read
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • Atlantic Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Metropolitan Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Dallas Stars
      • Minnesota Wild
      • Nashville Predators
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • Pacific Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle NHL
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • THW Archives
  • More…
    • Columns
    • NWHL
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • Long Read
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens Jonathan Drouin Disappointed with Season-ending Slump

By The Canadian Press April 10th, 2019

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

BROSSARD, Que. — Canadiens forward Jonathan Drouin doesn’t need to check social media or turn on a television to get a sense of how Montrealers have felt about him for the last month.

“I’m a smart enough man to know that when you haven’t produced in 17 games, the city’s probably turning a little on you,” Drouin said on Tuesday as the Canadiens cleaned out their lockers.

No Playoffs In Montreal (Again)

For the third time in four seasons, there will be no playoff hockey in Montreal — and some are pointing the finger at Drouin, who had just three points in his last 18 games.

“I had 50 to 60 games where I was happy about my play,” said Drouin, who tied a career high with 53 points this season. “Obviously those 20 last games wasn’t consistent, wasn’t the way I wanted to play. That’s on me as well, it’s on me to own that.”

The Habs finished the year with 96 points — a 25-point improvement from their dismal 2017-18 campaign — but Montreal was eliminated from playoff contention on the second-last day of the season.

Max Domi #13 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates a second period goal with teammate Jonathan Drouin
MONTREAL, QC – DECEMBER 04: Max Domi #13 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates a second period goal with teammate Jonathan Drouin #92 (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

“I appreciate everyone saying that we had a good year, exceeding expectations all that good stuff,” Canadiens forward Max Domi said. “We’re not satisfied, we’re not happy, and this isn’t going to happen again,”

The Canadiens believe better things are in store for Drouin, who was picked third overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2013 draft. He was traded to Montreal in the summer of 2017. 

“The fact that (Drouin) realized and admits that he could’ve done better (is a good thing),” Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin said. “The fact that he sits and he could realize that ‘you know what, it’s up to me,’ makes me believe that next year he’ll take another step forward.

“I honestly believe he wouldn’t say that three, four years ago.”

Canadiens forward Jonathan Drouin
Canadiens forward Jonathan Drouin (John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports)

Drouin says he didn’t dwell on his play when things went bad, but admits he was banking on the Canadiens making the playoffs.

“Just to get in the playoffs would’ve been nice to prove some people wrong,” Drouin said. “Not only for me, I think … as a team, it would’ve been nice just to get in the playoffs and prove a lot of teams wrong.”

Teammates say that consistency is key for him in order put this past season’s woes away.

Hope Remains High in Hab-land

“He still hit his career high in points but I think he’s able to do even more,” Canadiens captain Shea Weber said. “Even he knows he wants to be more consistent and contributing the way he knows he can every night.”

Optimism remains high in the Canadiens locker-room.

“We all expect to make the playoffs next season,” Habs goaltender Carey Price said. “Should be everybody’s goal while they’re training in the summer and preparing. It’s never great to have a long summer like we do, but since we have it, might as well put it good use.”

Drouin was also one of many players to decline an invitation to the world championship next month in Slovakia. He said he had a “little injury” but declined to go into further detail.

Fellow Canadians Weber, Domi, and Price won’t attend, either. American defenceman Jeff Petry also says he won’t play.

Centre Phillip Danault is still mulling his invitation from Canada over, as is Canadiens rookie Jesperi Kotkaniemi of Finland.

Niemi Not Coming Back

Meanwhile, Bergevin confirmed that goaltender Antti Niemi will not be back with the Canadiens next season. The 35-year old finished the season with an 8-6-2 record, a 3.78 goals-against average, and an .887 save percentage.

The Canadian Press

  • Tags
  • Jonathan Drouin
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Facebook Comments

Editor’s Picks
4 NHL Backup Goalies Who Should Be Starters

4 NHL Backup Goalies Who Should Be Starters

10058
7 Biggest NHL Players in Today's Game

7 Biggest NHL Players in Today's Game

64627
Recent Posts
Dec 13th 3:10 PM
Boston Bruins

Bruins: Tim Thomas Breaks Silence About Post-Hockey Life

Dec 13th 1:20 PM
Archives

Why the Vezina Trophy Deserves Its Name

Dec 13th 12:20 PM
Buffalo Sabres

NHL Rumors: Sabres, Canucks, Coaches, More

Dec 13th 11:50 AM
Long Read

2020 WJC Team Switzerland Preview

Dec 13th 11:35 AM
Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning: Schenn Is Not an Answer on the Blue Line

Dec 13th 11:20 AM
Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins’ 2010s All-Decade Team: Defense

Dec 13th 11:05 AM
Vancouver Canucks

Canucks’ 2019 Draft Class Update

Dec 13th 10:50 AM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs’ Holl Finding His Niche

Dec 13th 10:15 AM
AA

Oilers History: The Paul Coffey Effect

Dec 13th 9:50 AM
Dallas Stars

Stars’ New Assistant Coach Laxdal Has Potential

Stay in Touch
Contact Us

Via our Newsletters
RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Our Partners
HFBoards

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

Join over 18 000 Subscribers of our free bi-weekly Newsletter.

© The Hockey Writers 2018. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • Atlantic Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
  • Metropolitan Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Dallas Stars
    • Minnesota Wild
    • Nashville Predators
    • St Louis Blues
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • Pacific Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle NHL
    • Vegas Golden Knights
    • Vancouver Canucks
  • Store
  • The THW Archives
  • Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • The Goalie Page
  • NHL Salary Cap Information
  • Join Our Team
  • Search THW