Drouin Asked in November to Be Traded by Tampa Bay

Jonathan Drouin a forward for the Tampa Bay Lightning had requested that he be traded back in November, but the team expects him to be with its affiliate in the American Hockey League by the latest Tuesday.

Taken as the third pick during the NHL Draft of 2013, Drouin was assigned on Saturday to Syracuse of the AHL. He recorded 6 points (1 goal and 5 assists) during his first five games of this season, but has missed 19 games due to injuries and has just 2 points over his last 14 games.

Steve Yzerman the general manager of the Lightning said the club acknowledged through communications with the club and his agent Drouin’s request for a trade.

Moving forward, Yzerman said his sole intention is acting in the club’s best interest. In the meantime, Drouin took assignment to the Syracuse Crunch, the team’s affiliate with the American Hockey League.

He is expected by the team to report to practice with his new teammates as of Tuesday morning.

On Saturday, Yzerman said the assignment to the AHL by Drouin was to give him much needed playing time. Drouin will not be playing Sunday versus the Toronto Marlies but is scheduled to start his practices with the team beginning Tuesday, announced the Crunch.

Allan Walsh, Drouin’s agent said that on behalf of the player he formally requested the Tampa Bay Lightning to trade him this past November.

He added that he, nor Drouin have said anything about the untenable situation publicly until now. It has been in the best interests of everyone that Jonathan be able to move on and play  with another NHL club.

Walsh added that Jonathan loved playing in front of the Tampa Bay fans  and loved his teammates along with others in the Lightning organization that have treated very well.

Walsh also said that Drouin’s intention was to participate many seasons with Tampa Bay.

Following the statement made by his agent on Sunday, a return to playing for Tampa Bay following a stint in the AHL might be very unlikely should he be granted his request to trade him so he can move on.

Drouin is just 20 and this season had 4 goals as well as 28 assists in the 70 games as  a rookie last season. This team and Drouin had hoped the situation would have started and ended differently that it appears at this point it will.

He failed to record a point in six of the 26 games the Lightning had played in 26 games during the team’s postseason run last season.