Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

What Will The Tampa Bay Lightning Do With Jonathan Drouin?

01/04/2016 at 10:30am EST

from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN,

How do we feel this Jonathan Drouin situation will work out for the Tampa Bay Lightning?

Drouin's recent trade request was a while in the making, but I doubt the fact that it's been made public will force any precipitous move by Tampa Bay Lightning GM Steve Yzerman. That's because Yzerman is not going to sell low on the former first-round pick, no matter how public this situation has become.

A trade will only happen when the Lightning feel they can get proper value in return for a player they feel can still be a big-time offensive asset. Drouin's next move is going to be interesting, too. Will he report to the team's AHL affiliate in Syracuse after being reassigned over the weekend? If he doesn't, he's looking at a potential suspension.

The smart move for the kid is to show up and play in the AHL, which should eventually lead to being called back to Tampa. If he wants out, playing as hard as he can and as well as he can, augmenting his value in the process, is the best course of action. But again, don't expect Yzerman forcing a trade here just to appease the player.

A lot is at stake for the Bolts, including the message that the whims of players won't dictate their actions. Coach Jon Cooper will be criticized by many for the way he's handled Drouin, but I'm not sure that's fair. Cooper was hard on Nikita Kucherov a few years ago, limiting Kucherov's role until his defensive game rounded out. Kucherov responded last season and his role increased as a result. That opportunity likely would have been there for Drouin had the kid been more patient. I understand the frustration, and I've met Drouin and know he has a good heart. I just think he could have been a little more patient here. Thoughts?

continue to ESPN for Burnside, Custance and McDonald on Drouin...

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Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

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