Yzerman: No reason to believe Drouin won't return next season
After a roller coaster of a season, it appears Jonathan Drouin is part of the Tampa Bay Lightning's long-term plans after all.
Speaking with the media Friday following his team's Game 7 loss, general manager Steve Yzerman said there was "no reason to believe" the 21-year-old forward would not be back with the Lightning next season, according to WFLA's Paul Ryan.
Yzerman: "I think the best thing for this team right now is having Jonathan Drouin on this team." #TBLightning
— Paul Ryan (@WFLAPaul) May 27, 2016
After a difficult regular season that saw him demoted to the AHL and subsequently suspended for failing to report to his new team in January, the young winger redeemed himself when injuries saw him return to Tampa in time for the playoffs, where he recorded 14 points in 17 games.
"He's obviously skilled. He played hard, he competed hard (in the playoffs). He makes us a better team," Yzerman said.
The third overall pick in 2013, Drouin has 42 points in 91 career regular-season games, but after his impressive playoffs, there's optimism for a full season's worth of production.