Quote:
Originally Posted by Locke
Okay, I'm not saying that Yzerman has no say, of course he does. And further I'm not saying that they should never let the kid play hockey again.
All I've said is that they need to manage their team dynamic and not just hand the 1st line RW keys back to Drouin because hes Drouin.
Like you said, 3rd overall draft pick, he'll get lots of chances but not all of those chances are going to be handed to him for free.
He's kissed and made up with the Tampa Bay Lightning, apparently, now he has to do the same with the Crunch and his teammates in whatever capacity they feel is required.
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The thing about "team dynamic" is that it is not all that relevant in the minor leagues. The AHL exists for the development and promotion of prospects. That development takes precedence. Sometimes, it takes precedence even over winning.
And that is even the case here where the AHL team is separately owned.
The Lightning made it clear that Drouin is welcome back. He's agreed to come back. The only thing that would hold him out of his team's next game is an honest lack of conditioning. There is no chance the team even considers holding him out as a further punishment.