Jonathan Drouin had probably imagined a happier scenario for the first game of the season once morest the Toronto Maple Leafs than that of being on the press bridge with Michael Pezzetta.
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A few hours before the opening of this season, Kent Hughes spoke regarding the Drouin file. Like head coach Martin St-Louis, the general manager of the Canadiens chose the right words, stressing that he always wanted to work with him.
“Jo is coming back from an injury and he was sick during camp,” Hughes recalled Thursday. He missed part of the camp. I think there was also a concern regarding giving him too many games since he was coming back from an injury and a long absence. Jo is a bit late. »
“But he is part of our team. We have 14 attackers, we have 14 good attackers. Jo and Martin have a dialogue that is very positive. I don’t see any problem with that. Jo is a good teammate. I also like that there will be healthy competition among our players. We also know that a team rarely stays completely healthy,” added Hughes.
At the end of the contract
On a strict contractual level, Drouin will play big this season. In his last campaign of a pact that earns him $ 5.5 million, the number 27 will dictate his future in Montreal, but also in the NHL in the coming months.
Asked if there was still a future for the 27-year-old Quebec forward with the Habs, Hughes remained quite vague.
“Jo is spending the last year of his contract, he is not the only one in this situation with the Canadiens, mentioned the GM. Players who show us that they can continue to contribute to the success of the team will have a future with the team. But I can’t answer it right now. »
Operated on a wrist last season, Drouin participated in only 34 games. He scored six goals and had 14 assists for a total of 20 points.
Matheson on hold
Hughes also offered news from the infirmary. Injured in the lower body, defender Mike Matheson will be absent for the first games of the regular schedule. The CH will wait for the results of a magnetic resonance examination before making a precise diagnosis.
In the case of Joel Edmundson, he started skating once more a week ago.
“There is progress,” noted Hughes. But we don’t have a fixed date for his return. Despite this, we are encouraged. »
The big defender is recovering from another back injury.
