Cooper says Lightning 'never ever gave up on' Drouin
Jonathan Drouin is the talk of the hockey world again, but this time for all the right reasons.
The Tampa Bay Lightning forward was a beast Tuesday night, helping his club take a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Detroit Red Wings with a three-assist performance. His last one was the prettiest, setting up Ondrej Palat for a late game-winner as Tampa Bay won a tight road game 3-2.
After the game, Lightning head coach Jon Cooper talked about the 21-year-old's performance, and his place within the Tampa Bay organization.
"I'm unbelievably proud of the way (Drouin's) handled himself with our team, our staff. He deserves this," Cooper said, according to the Tampa Bay Times' Joe Smith. "The one thing that gets missed in all of this is we never ever gave up on Jonathan."
Everyone knows the story by now: Drouin's agent went public with a trade request in November after the former third overall pick was sent to the AHL. Drouin then left the Lightning's minor-league club, with Tampa Bay subsequently suspending him. Eventually, Drouin ended his self-imposed exile, reported to the minors, and was called up after Steven Stamkos went down to injury. Now the kid is making the most of his second chance.
One of the major talking points after Drouin's recall was how he'd be welcomed back by his teammates. After performances like Tuesday's, it's all love.
"When he gets his motor running and speed going, it's pretty magical to watch," Tyler Johnson said, "Really glad he's on our team right now."
Drouin has four assists in four games. The Lightning can wrap up the series Thursday night at home.