Lightnings' Jonathan Drouin Will Make NHL Debut

Lightnings’ Jonathan Drouin Will Make NHL Debut Against Oilers

Sep 24, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jonathan Drouin (27) handles the puck against the Nashville Predators during the first period at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators beat the Lightning 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports /

Jonathan Drouin will make his NHL debut with the Tampa Bay Lightning against the Edmonton Oilers Monday night

This was kind of a last-minute decision on the team’s part, or so it seems.

Just moments before the game began for the Tampa Bay Lightning Monday night, the team announced via Twitter that 2013 first-round pick Jonathan Drouin would make his NHL debut in the game against the Edmonton Oilers.

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Drouin, who has been playing in the AHL as a part of a conditioning stint, was not expected to play in the lineup at all on Monday. When the team confirmed that Alex Killorn’s injury Monday morning would keep him out of the game that night, though, it seemed that the team ultimately decided that it was Drouin’s time.

The highly touted first-rounder is one of the few from his draft class who will be skating with his franchise this season. Seth Jones was added to the Nashville Predators lineup last year, and Nathan Mackinnon was an absolute dream come true for the Colorado Avalanche, but the Arizona Coyotes sent Max Domi back to the OHL, and the Edmonton Oilers recently did the same with their first-rounder, Darnell Nurse.

Drouin was recalled from Syracuse just a day prior to his NHL debut, on Sunday.

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