When Jonathan Drouin was drafted third overall in 2013, many felt he could be the ideal winger for Lightning center Steven Stamkos.
At five on the five, the two did play a bit together last season, though not a ton.
And while they may be together more in 2015-16, Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper is warning not to read too much into preseason line combos.
“I just want to caution everyone, just because you’re using someone in camp, doesn’t mean that’s how everything is going to play out,” Cooper told the Tampa Bay Times.
“But we do want to see them together, and see if some chemistry starts coming together, and this is the time to do that. While they’re on the same line, we like to see what they can do.”
Stamkos and Drouin have been skating together since the start of camp and are expected to be on the same line tonight against the Panthers, along with Nikita Kucherov.
Stamkos is one of the NHL’s top goal-scorers. Drouin was a prolific playmaker in junior. Hence, the belief that they could form an effective duo.
“We hope that a little bit more chemistry comes about with these two, because they’re both great talents,” said Cooper.