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When Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin sent blue-chip prospect Mikhail Sergachev to the Tampa Bay Lightning during the summer in exchange for forward Jonathan Drouin, the expectations for the young Quebecer were sky high.

Although Drouin was the team’s first potential francophone star in a long while, the Ste-Agathe native hadn’t quite established himself as an offensive threat with the Lightning during even-strength play.

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Of his 21 goals last season, nine came during the power play. And the same situation repeated itself when it came to his primary points (goals and primary assists), with 17 of the 38 occurring on the power play.

Almost half his production came during the man-advantage, and while you can’t ignore the value of power-play points, the Canadiens also needed Drouin to produce during even-strength situations, especially if they were to see any value from the six-year, US$33-million contract extension he signed this summer.