The Tampa Bay Lightning didn't have to look far to find the final piece to their Stanley Cup winning puzzle.

Their "x-factor" may already be on the roster.

The development of 21-year-old could be the difference between another postseason run that falls short and the team's first Stanley Cup championship since 2004.

With the Bolts keeping the core of their roster in place for the third straight year, the ascent of the 3rd overall pick of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft may be the boost the Lightning need to get over the hump.

Drouin and Tampa Bay head coach Jon Cooper seem to finally be on the same page, and the young Canadian forward has spent parts of the last three years learning from the Bolts solid group of veterans.

"It's huge," Drouin said. "There are so many leaders. You've got (Ryan) Callahan coming from New York being a captain. Stammer (Lightning captain Steven Stamkos). So many guys who have been in the league for awhile. So we've got a good leadership group here and a lot of young guys as well. So it's kind of a good mix."

Drouin is entering his third season of NHL play.

He spent portions of the previous two seasons in the minor leagues, but the Bolts expect him to be with the parent club throughout 2016-17 and expect him to blossom into a major contributor.

"He's a world-class talent," Lightning center Tyler Johnson said. "When he's playing, it's unbelievable to watch and fun. He's been just getting better every day, and this year he's even taken it up another notch. So he's going to be a fun one to watch."

After a forgettable 2015-16 regular season that included a demotion to the AHL's Syracuse Crunch and demands to be traded, Drouin matured and responded with a tremendous postseason.

He scored 14 points (5 goals, 9 assists) in 17 playoff games and provided a major spark with the Bolts missing high scoring captain Steven Stamkos for nearly the entire postseason.

Drouin's improvement made general manager Steve Yzerman look like a wise man for refusing to give into Drouin's trade demands earlier in the season.

Drouin's outstanding play also built his confidence entering this season.

"I had a great playoffs the way I was playing," Drouin said. "I was chasing the game; I wasn't waiting for something to happen. And that can't change when the season comes around. I've got to go to the puck and make sure I'm in those dirty areas."

"He's been great," forward Alex Killorn said. "I think this year is going to be a chance for him to show the true player he is. In the playoffs we definitely got a glimpse of how great he can be. So we're just hoping he brings that for a full year."

Drouin seems to have discovered the value of a little modesty, too.

When asked if this was "his year", Drouin said, "I hope it's OUR year, not just my year."

