The Jonathan Drouin Holdout Narrative Is Unfair

In 2013, Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin were tearing up the QMJHL for the Halifax Mooseheads in route to the organization's first ever Memorial Cup trophy. MacKinnon, a first overall pick in the 2011 major junior draft, would score 75 points in 44 regular season games and 33 more during an electric postseason, earning him a first overall selection in the following summer's NHL Amateur draft as well. But MacKinnon wasn't even the top scorer on his own team. That designation would go to line mate, Drouin, who scored an eye-popping 105 points in 49 regular season games and 35 points in the playoffs. Though MacKinnon and current Columbus Blue Jacket, Seth Jones, were viewed by many as the top players in the 2013 draft, Drouin was also considered as an elite talent whom the Tampa Bay Lightning were very fortunate to select third overall.

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