Canadiens hope search for first-line centre ends with off-season catch Drouin
LAVAL, Que. — Every year since he was named general manager of the Montreal Canadiens in 2012, Marc Bergevin has been asked who will be the club’s first-line centre.
He admits it’s a good question, but says top centres are hard to find.
For now, the job still belongs to Phillip Danault, who many see as better suited to third-line duty, but the Canadiens are ready to take a long look at off-season acquisition Jonathan Drouin when training camp opens Friday.
Drouin, 22, was listed as a winger when he was acquired June 15 from the Tampa Bay Lightning for defence prospect Mikhail Sergachev, but he has played centre in the past. The Canadiens are making no promises, but the third overall pick in the 2013 draft will at least get a chance to fill what has been the team’s biggest void in recent years.