Lightning's Jonathan Drouin a game-time decision for Game 2
TAMPA, FL -- Tampa Bay Lightning top prospect Jonathan Drouin has been watching from the sidelines since the second round, but he may make his Stanley Cup Final debut Saturday night in Game 2.
The 20-year-old Drouin, taken third overall in the 2013 draft, told reporters following the team's morning skate that he would take pregame warmups. Whether or not he draws into the lineup remains to be seen. He will be a game-time decision.
"You definitely want to be out there," Drouin said. "Hopefully, it happens."
Should Drouin play in Game 2 against the Chicago Blackhawks, it will be his first appearance since Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Montreal Canadiens back on May 7.
Lightning coach Jon Cooper didn't seem concerned about bringing Drouin back despite the layoff. He said he expects all of his players, even the extras, to remain ready for the possibility of rejoining the lineup in the event of injury or other circumstances.
"If anything, these guys come in, they don't have the bumps and bruises," Cooper said. "They're a little fresh. They're probably a little better off."
Cooper did not reveal any personnel decisions -- specifically, whether he planned to go with 12 forwards and six defensemen or 11 forwards and 7 defensemen, the latter of which he has done often this postseason -- though logic would dictate Drouin is more likely to play should he decide on the former.
Drouin admitted that sitting out has been a frustrating process but that he understands it comes with the territory of playing for a team deep with offensive talent.
"I didn't come in thinking it was going to be easy," he said. "Getting cut last year as an 18-year-old, you definitely come here with a chip on your shoulder and, again, I think it's such a good team. You want to be in every night, but it's definitely a harder league to just come in and start playing. There's stuff you've got to learn before you come in and make an impact right away."
The team's decision to sit Drouin, especially during stretches when the club has had trouble scoring, has been a polarizing one for fans and media alike. Some understand that the team has to be able to fully trust him defensively before he earns a regular spot in the lineup, while others believe his potential to make an impact offensively is worth the risk.
Either way, it's out of Drouin's hands for now.
"There's not much I can do about it. If it was my decision, I'd be on the ice every night, but it's not up to me," he said. "Some fans want me out there, some fans understand it's not really up to me to change the decision."
