Jonathan Drouin remains untaught as a professional; it's been just a few months since he was exiled for failing to report to the minor league affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
But if there's a handbook he received, and skimmed through, then Drouin's got the section on reparation down pat.
The second-year man has reserved his talking for the offensive zone since placing an apologetic call to Steve Yzerman and returning to the big club. But the point-per-game postseason performer did speak Thursday between Games 3 and 4, permeating working maturity.
"Every day is better and better, every day I feel more confident about myself," Drouin said, according to Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun. "Let's just make sure that keeps going and we'll be fine. Since I came back, I'm just playing the game, not thinking about who's on the ice, just playing hockey."
For as long as Tampa lasts in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Drouin will have more and more opportunity to not just contribute, but continue to earn the trust of his teammates, coaches, and hockey operations after nearly throwing his future with the organization away.
