On the Tampa Bay Lightning and Jonathan Drouin …
- Tampa Bay Lightning: Lightning GM Steve Yzerman on Jonathan Drouin’s trade request.
“We acknowledge, via communication from his agent, Jonathan Drouin’s request to be traded. Moving forward, my sole intention is to act in the best interest of the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey club. In the meantime, Jonathan has been assigned to our American Hockey League affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, and we expect him to report for practice with the rest of his teammates this Tuesday morning.”
- Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times: Jonathan Drouin is under contract for one more year, and has little leverage. With agent Allan Walsh going public with the trade request, it will stir the pot with potential trade partners, but it won’t help Drouin’s tenure with the organization.The Toronto Maple Leafs, Nashville Predators, Buffalo Sabres and St. Louis Blues could be good fits for Drouin.GM Steve Yzerman and assistant GM Pat Verbeek scouted the Blues last month. Verbeek watched a couple Sabres games.The Lightning could use a right-handed defenseman and/or power play quarterback – Kevin Shattenkirk (STL) and Cody Franson (BUF).
Someone taking on Matt Carle and his $5.5 million contract through 2017-18 would also help.
Yzerman still believes in Drouin.
“I think he’s a tremendous young talent,” Yzerman said Saturday. “One, he needs to stay healthy and get in the lineup and show what he can do.”
Drouin has denied there are issues with head coach Jon Cooper. Drouin was a healthy scratch for 20 of their 26 playoff games last year, and has battled injuries this season.
- Jimmy Hascup of the USA Today: The six best fits for Jonathan Drouin: Toronto Maple Leafs, Nashville Predators, Vancouver Canucks, Arizona Coyotes, New Jersey Devils and the Columbus Blue Jackets.
- Jonathan Willis of the Edmonton Journal: The Oilers should at least call the Lightning about Jonathan Drouin, but their biggest need in on the blueline, so trading their best assets for a winger may not make the most sense.
