The Tampa Bay Lightning were put in a really tough spot yesterday when Jonathan Drouin failed to report to the club’s AHL affiliate. In a statement released by his agent, there was no reason to continue playing in the organization in any capacity. Drouin was frustrated his trade request hadn’t yet come to fruition, and was worried he’d get hurt playing with Syracuse.
Still, the 20-year-old is still on his entry-level contract and doesn’t have much leverage. Tampa Bay suspended the forward indefinitely.
Lightning suspend Jonathan Drouin, agent again demands a trade https://t.co/6jEYciqwE6 pic.twitter.com/yGXFGEYeT5
— The Comeback NHL (@TheComebackNHL) January 21, 2016
Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman reacted to the news publicly today, and said Drouin failing to report wasn’t what the organization envisioned. Contrary to Drouin’s statement, he says the club never told him they were close on a trade.
Yzerman said he never told Drouin camp any deal was close #TBLightning
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithNHL) January 21, 2016
Despite the mess, Yzerman says he’s aggressively trying to facilitate a deal. He admitted Drouin’s agents public comments obviously didn’t help.
Yzerman said they are actively and aggressively trying to trade Drouin but haven't found a deal yet. Said this obviously can't help
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithNHL) January 21, 2016
Yzerman was very direct about situation. Said when trade request made public, it "changed everything" #TBLightning
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithNHL) January 21, 2016
Yzerman said he’ll leave the door open on salvaging the relationship with Drouin, but his focus is now trading the former Halifax Moosehead forward.
#TBLightning Yzerman said he'll leave door open on salvaging things, but focus is working out a deal w Drouin. No timetable for trade
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithNHL) January 21, 2016
Unsurprisingly, Yzerman says there’s tons of interest in Drouin. Why wouldn’t there be? He’s an uber-talented player with a bright future ahead of him, even if he’s doing some damage publicly with his failure to report.
#TBLightning Yzerman said there's been "significant" interest from teams in Drouin. Won't handicap a timeline for anything to happen tho
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithNHL) January 21, 2016
Drouin seems lucky that Yzerman is willing to help him out and deal him. Yzerman doesn’t owe him anything considering he’s still under contract on his ELC. I’m sure though the Lightning GM just wants the situation to be over, as he’s got more pressing concerns, like Steven Stamkos’ future and the 2015-16 Lightning.
