Quoting: jonh514
Is that really an objective opinion? He does not deserve to be on this team more than:
Hoffman
Pezzetta
Ylonen
Armia
Because his production clearly indicates otherwise. I believe 14 points in 18 games is actually the second most productive of any forward on the Habs behind Suzuki who has 16 pts in that time.
Again, if it were simply a matter of points, there wouldn't be an issue. He doesn't pass the eye test.
Hoffman is engaged, he just has a bad habit of trying to do too much with the puck and turning it over under pressure.
Ylonen is still trying to figure things out and needs some time before his long term NHL viability can be determined. His development is more valuable than Drouin's.
Pezzetta is perhaps the opposite issue. He's over-enthusiastic, but that's not the worst problem to have. His only real negative is hitting late. I'd rather see him saving that energy to get back defensively more often.
Armia's performance always seems lackadaisical, but he has a knack for using his stick and boardwork to come up with the puck despite that. His effort level isn't consistent, but it's there more often than Drouin. Armia's cap hit and missed games are his issues, but still more value for the buck than Drouin's contract.
So yes, I would have all of those players in the lineup over Drouin. The others can be used in more situations to various degrees and do more outside of accumulating assists with sheltered, perimeter, offensive zone play. For Drouin, if he isn't getting points, he isn't providing any value. 14 points in 18 games is nice, but it's really 14 points in 8 games, while being a non/negative factor in the other 10.
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