Yzerman: Lightning still looking to trade Drouin

The Lightning responded to the public stance by sending Drouin to the minors on January 2, Drouin responded by not showing up for an AHL game on Wednesday night and the Lightning immediately countered by suspending him indefinitely. Drouin was frustrated by his demotion to the Crunch earlier this month and walked out on the team Wednesday.

Drouin, the third overall pick of the 2013 NHL Draft, has produced six goals and 34 assists in 89 NHL games. “We’ve been on a bit of a roll, so I think we’re happy with that”.

From analyzing his statement, and his remarks and actions before for that matter, Walsh seems to be the orchestrator of the chaos, and at absolute least he is playing an impactful role in Drouin’s decision to go forth and cut ties with the Lightning.

The team had no further comment. Where do you guys stand on the Jonathan Drouin- Tampa Bay Lightning standoff? It can’t help his relationship with the Lightning, and it likely won’t help his reputation with other teams that have been interested. He is only doing his job by trying to convince the Lightning to move Drouin sooner than later.

The disgruntled forward has resolved to no longer play for the organization “in any capacity” until a trade is made. The objective, according to his agent, Los Angeles-based Allan Walsh of Octagon Hockey, was to get Drouin back in shape after an injury and “provide proof that he had completely recovered”.

Drouin was announced as a healthy scratch prior to the Crunch’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Marlies.

However, as Yzerman stood before the media in Tampa to discuss what the future holds for Drouin and for his hockey club, it’s clear that like many thingsno one knows what will happen.

St. Louis could try to rid some cap space in players with contracts expiring at the end of this season, but it’s all a matter of whom Tampa Bay would want. “Not saying that Jonathan is a better player than Eric, that’s not what I’m saying, I’m just saying when you have that chance, that window, you need to take it”. “We proposed to Tampa that Jonathan not play in the next few AHL games but continue practising with the club to avoid any potential injury from preventing an imminent trade”. But quite interestingly, several team scouts were seen at the Ricoh Coliseum, probably hoping to see Drouin play, including those from the Canadiens, Canucks, Jets, and Senators.

At one point, it was suggested that Jonathan Drouin’s trade value if the Calgary Flames were to pursue a deal would’ve been as costly as Sam Bennett or another key prospect.

In seven games with the Crunch, Drouin had two goals and three points before pulling himself out of the lineup.