In a stunning twist to the Jonathan Drouin situation, he has decided to walk away from the Tampa Bay Lightning. Forcing GM Steve Yzerman to trade him. The question is, when will Yzerman trade him? NHL Trade Rumors were going around last week that two teams were very close to landing Drouin. Guesses are the St. Louis Blues and the Montreal Canadiens were the destinations.
TSN’s Bob McKenzie is reporting that up to 12 teams are interested in Drouin. Yzerman is under no obligation to trade Drouin. Entry level players in the National Hockey League have zero rights.
The way the Tampa Bay Lightning are playing right now, Yzerman will take his time for the best offer. He might even wait till the off-season to trade him.
Yzerman has a lot on his plate, Steven Stamkos is still not signed, and if not signed by the NHL Trade Deadline, the Lightning stand a good chance of loosing Stamkos to free agency.
Where will Jonathan Drouin end up? Montreal was scouting Drouin over the weekend in Syracuse. The Blues have wanted Drouin since November. The Anaheim Ducks, Minnesota Wild and the Calgary Flames all have interest.
This is a waiting game were Drouin has ZERO leverage and Yzerman will do what is best for the Lightning. This could end quick or drag on into the summer. Only time will tell…
