Jonathan Drouin requests trade from Tampa

[pmorrow]

You always knew something was wrong between Drouin and the Lightning. I'm interested to see how fast they can get this deal done.

[Doug Glatt]

I have said it all along: Tampa should have drafted Seth Jones. Perhaps they can work out a deal with Nashville and get a do-over.

[JHouly]

Very interesting.

If traded...probably to a team in the West.

Nasheville vs. a d-man?

[rangerfan2430]

Really not surprised after how Tampa's used him. How do you think he feels when MacKinnon, Barkov, Jones, and so many more prospects have already been given big minutes

[metaldude26]

I have said it all along: Tampa should have drafted Seth Jones. Perhaps they can work out a deal with Nashville and get a do-over.

Same. Could you imagine that defense corps right now? Arguable that they never sign Stralman though.

[ericdaoust]

I have said it all along: Tampa should have drafted Seth Jones. Perhaps they can work out a deal with Nashville and get a do-over.

Poile pracrically sprinted to the podium to make the pick.

[Big Ev]

Really not surprised after how Tampa's used him. How do you think he feels when MacKinnon, Barkov, Jones, and so many more prospects have already been given big minutes

you also have to put blame on himself tough

[metaldude26]

Really not surprised after how Tampa's used him. How do you think he feels when MacKinnon, Barkov, Jones, and so many more prospects have already been given big minutes

One response would be: "I'm lagging behind in my development compared to the best in my cohort. I need to work harder in order to grab the role and responsibility that I want."

[JagrBomb]

who's to say Jones would have developed the same in Tampa? he's a good D but Nashville's defensive system must make their D look better than on most teams. put phaneuf on Nashville and he'd be pretty good too...

imo Nashville isn't trading Jones unless they can get a #1C. if Stamkos re-signs then Tampa will need to move Drouin for someone that is cost-controlled, locked up with a good contract. this may very well end up being another Seguin type trade.

assuming drouin is traded to a rebuilding team, and looking at the bottom 5:

columbus - needs D
buffalo - probably needs D but could work. ennis?
edmonton - needs D
toronto - same as buffalo. JVR?
philly - might be the best fit in the bottom 5. could package a young D prospect...sanheim/hagg/morin etc?


also how far do you need to go before you start questioning the cooper extension. is any coach really worth potentially losing your franchise C and best prospect over?

[Bra]

is any coach really worth potentially losing your franchise C and best prospect over?

In a word, no. But this is equally on Drouin than it is on the coach.

drouin has put up next to nil numbers this past year. Yzerman will be low-balled for him and so there is little point in trading him. He holds all the chips, let him pout in the AHL. It's up to Drouin whether he plays pro again.

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With respect to Stammer, there is way more money available in markets like Toronto and New York. Why be a star everywhere else but Tampa?

[Bra]

One response would be: "I'm lagging behind in my development compared to the best in my cohort. I need to work harder in order to grab the role and responsibility that I want."

Bang on.

[Shift Disturber]

As a Drouin owner I agree that he has to resist the temptation to whine and work hard to tear up the AHL. That said, his utilization in TB has been perplexing and counterproductive for such a high pick. He either needs quality top six minutes or send him to the minors. Better late than never, but they could have avoided a lot of frustration and bad blood if they had just dealt with him properly in the first place.

[ericdaoust]

Really not surprised after how Tampa's used him. How do you think he feels when MacKinnon, Barkov, Jones, and so many more prospects have already been given big minutes

The Lightning need goals badly. If Drouin was up to the task he would be geting those big minutes.

[metaldude26]

I don't agree with the notion that a guy has to see top-six minutes or he's being wasted/not developed properly. Look at Kuznetsov. Got the third line treatment all year last year. Now he's a star.

[petegreg21]

Maybe if he knew how to play without the puck he wouldn't be in this situation. That's what he should have been learning when he went back to Halifax in his Draft+1, but he was too lazy and uninspired and only gave effort when he had the puck on his stick. Old habits die hard.