- Joe Smith: GM Steve Yzerman said that he never told Jonathan Drouin’s camp that any trade was close.
- Frank Seravalli of TSN: Lightning GM Steve Yzerman held a press conference to talk about the Jonathan Drouin suspension and Allan Walsh’s statement.
“We didn’t feel it was right to pull the player (from the lineup) since the deal wasn’t done,” Yzerman told reporters. “Teams are watching.”
Yzerman added they haven’t found the right deal yet, but are “actively and aggressively” trying to trade Drouin.
“This obviously can’t help,” Yzerman told reporters. “My responsibility is to act in the best interest of the hockey club. Does it hurt? I guess time will tell. We are actively trying to find a deal. It doesn’t put added pressure on me to make a deal.”
- Joe Smith: Yzerman was asked if it was Walsh or Drouin driving this situation … Yzerman responded that Walsh has always told him that he is representing Drouin and following his wishes.
- Luke Fox of Sportsnet: Renaud Lavoie on Sportsnet 590 this morning on Jonathan Drouin.
“Even if he’s not the most popular player in the league, there’s at least seven to 12 teams that want him,” TVA insider Renaud Lavoie told Jeff Blair on Sportsnet 590 The Fan Thursday morning. “People are saying, teams are not going to want him because he’s a holdout and that’s a big red flag. Well, that’s not the reality. The reality is there’s a lot of teams interested in having him.”
Lavoie added
“Steve Yzerman has all rights not to trade him,” Lavoie said. “ if Jonathan Drouin is not traded by the deadline, I’ll be surprised.”
The Blues may have been close. Other teams interested in Drouin according to Lavoie are the Hurricanes, Senators, Predators, Ducks, Wild and Canadiens.
“I have good information that the St. Louis Blues were close,” said Lavoie. “Now, I know there are more teams involved. One of those teams is the Hurricanes, who are playing tonight in Toronto.”
- My NHL Trade Rumors: Nick Kypreos said on Sportsnet that Yzerman may have as many as seven firm offers on the table for Drouin.
- Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times: Possibly 12 teams have shown interest in Drouin, including the Blues, Ducks, Canadiens and Wild. It’s not known how last night’s events will affect his trade value.
“The key for me is what you are giving up?” said former NHL general manager Craig Button, an NHL Network analyst. “I would be inclined to give up a little less than more because of the actions of the player. I don’t like when things don’t go a player’s way and he’s going to lay on the floor and kick and scream. So, yes, it would impact my desire.”
- David Pagnotta: Was told twice last week that a Drouin trade was close to happening and that Drouin was anticipating a move. Appears the trade may have fallen through or that it was pushed off for some reason.
- Chris Nichols: Bob McKenzie on Drouin: “trying to put some leverage on the #TBLightning to trade him, by making himself, effectively, a diminishing asset.”