[News] Upd: Drouin decides to sit out until trade is completed. Lightning suspend him

[sureLoss]

Doesn't sound like his agent was involved in this decision:

Michael Augello @MikeInBuffalo
According to SYR coach Rob Zettler, Jonathan Drouin informed the team he wouldn't play against TOR after the morning skate #tblightning #NHL

If his agent was involved, Drouin wouldn't have to say anything to the coach.

[Bourque's Twin]

None of us know the entire story, so it's unfair to strongly pick sides. From Yzerman's perspective, he needs to do what's best for his team. He has every right to fetch what he feels is fair in a trade. I also understand Drouin's perspective. An NHL career is very short, and he needs to be given every opportunity he deserves. It's difficult to say what he deserves, but Tampa has incredible forward depth, and I find it quite possible that he would make most other NHL rosters. Unfortunately it's gotten to the point in which both sides lose. Drouin's reputation will be questioned, and he will have a shorter leash to prove himself on another team. Yzerman will not get 3rd overall value in return. If I were Yzerman, I would trade him so the Lightning can focus on more productive things.

[sureLoss]

General Fanager @generalfanager
Another piece to Drouin puzzle: was sent down 38 games into season. Won't get an accrued season unless on an active roster for 2 more games.

General Fanager @generalfanager
Drouin has 1 accrued season already. If accrues this season, on pace to be UFA July 2021. If not, won't be UFA eligible until 2022.

[killer_carlson]

The key to the timing, imo, is whether the Lightning win their next few games.

If they win a few and show this isn't a distraction and they don't need Drouin, then Yzerman will let the kid wait it out. Balls of steel on Yzerman's part.

If they lose the next few or even go .500, then the pressure and media frenzy will be too much.

My guess: he ends up in Nashville.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Doesn't sound like his agent was involved in this decision:

Michael Augello @MikeInBuffalo
According to SYR coach Rob Zettler, Jonathan Drouin informed the team he wouldn't play against TOR after the morning skate #tblightning #NHL

If his agent was involved, Drouin wouldn't have to say anything to the coach.

...

Shoot. Does that mean that I have to re-write my whole article?

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Doesn't sound like his agent was involved in this decision:

Michael Augello @MikeInBuffalo
According to SYR coach Rob Zettler, Jonathan Drouin informed the team he wouldn't play against TOR after the morning skate #tblightning #NHL

If his agent was involved, Drouin wouldn't have to say anything to the coach.

I find it nearly impossible to believe that the two of them didn't discuss it before Drouin acted on it.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

I find it nearly impossible to believe that the two of them didn't discuss it before Drouin acted on it.

Yeah I am sure they discussed it, but Drouin was the one who acted on it.

[Gaudfather]

I think Drouin and whoever his advisors are (agent, family etc.) are out to lunch here.

He was a high draft pick in the NHL - a league where there might be 100 openings each year for the 1,000 capable applicants. Maybe Drouin wasn't getting the NHL ice time he wanted - so suck it up and work on your game. To be a full time NHL'er today you need to be defensively responsible in addition to whatever offensive prowess you may have. Even Johnny Gaudreau had to figure that out.

I wouldn't be surprised that Drouin is one of those coddled kids, always told he was the best and always given what he wanted and has developed this sense of entitlement that the NHL owes him, or Tampa Bay owes him.

He has just made a critical error that reveals a serious character flaw. It does not necessarily trash his future but he better get something through his head and quick. Life doesn't owe you anything.

Treliving and Burke will never trade for him because he wouldn't survive in the " earned, never given" culture in Calgary.

[sun]

Thanks for splitting the thread!

[868904]

Originally Posted by Gaudfather

I think Drouin and whoever his advisors are (agent, family etc.) are out to lunch here.

He was a high draft pick in the NHL - a league where there might be 100 openings each year for the 1,000 capable applicants. Maybe Drouin wasn't getting the NHL ice time he wanted - so suck it up and work on your game. To be a full time NHL'er today you need to be defensively responsible in addition to whatever offensive prowess you may have. Even Johnny Gaudreau had to figure that out.

I wouldn't be surprised that Drouin is one of those coddled kids, always told he was the best and always given what he wanted and has developed this sense of entitlement that the NHL owes him, or Tampa Bay owes him.

He has just made a critical error that reveals a serious character flaw. It does not necessarily trash his future but he better get something through his head and quick. Life doesn't owe you anything.

Treliving and Burke will never trade for him because he wouldn't survive in the " earned, never given" culture in Calgary.

Hey it worked for Sven Baertschi, he's a star now for the Canucks. No green text.

If there were any hockey justice, Sven would find no success given his behaviour, but the reality is whiny entitled brats always get what they want in the end.

Drouin will end up a star somewhere else and he will think he handled this all properly.

[Conroy4Mayor]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

General Fanager @generalfanager
Another piece to Drouin puzzle: was sent down 38 games into season. Won't get an accrued season unless on an active roster for 2 more games.

General Fanager @generalfanager
Drouin has 1 accrued season already. If accrues this season, on pace to be UFA July 2021. If not, won't be UFA eligible until 2022.

If that's the case, I understand completely now why Drouin is trying to force a trade. If he remains buried in the minors, it could cost him Millions. That being the difference between an RFA and UFA year when he is 25.

[browna]

Originally Posted by Conroy4Mayor

If that's the case, I understand completely now why Drouin is trying to force a trade. If he remains buried in the minors, it could cost him Millions. That being the difference between an RFA and UFA year when he is 25.

Given the way his career has gone so far, and his latest transgression, he should be seriously worried about where he is in 2017, not splitting hairs between '21 or '22.

[Matty81]

Personally I am fine with drouin doing this. It sucks for the team experiencing it but NHL franchises are a joke of an employer. If I had that unique of a skillset in the world and you told me I had to work for the same employer for 8 years or I couldn't find an equivalent job, and then my boss sucked or we hated each other... Yeah I get it. People saying it's entitlement should look in the mirror and ask themselves if they'd be willing to work a bad job for 8 years when other employers wanted you.

I think soccer is a much better and more free market system. When your contract is up, go where you want. No bs salary cap or ridiculous draft to allocate players to welfare case teams either.

[The Fonz]

A 2nd + Klimchuk.

Get 'er done.

[calgarygeologist]

I haven't followed the Drouin saga very closely nor have I followed the 70 or so pages of discussion on here but I'd like to ask where Toronto sits in all this. I don't know how Drouin feels about playing for the Leafs but in my mind they seem like a team that might be willing to take a chance on him. They are in the early part of a rebuild and could be in a good position to take a flyer on Drouin. They obviously have many holes in their line up and Drouin has some potential to be a decent player. I'm not sure if the Leafs have any assets that the Lightning would want. If I was the Leafs I'd be trying to possibly move Kadri for Drouin.

[Conroy4Mayor]

Originally Posted by browna

Given the way his career has gone so far, and his latest transgression, he should be seriously worried about where he is in 2017, not splitting hairs between '21 or '22.

I think he's gotta believe in himself. It wouldn't be a good thing if he questioned his own future in the NHL.

I also think that a guy of his potential will have to screw up miserably quite a few times to end up in a European League playing with Chuck Kobasew. Not saying it won't happen, but that it is less likely than say a guy like Morgan Klimchuk. Most GM's considered Drouin a potential franchise player. That's hard to let go of.

[PepsiFree]

I think Drouin is playing this right. Cooper is quickly becoming known as a guy who doesn't know what to do with guys who are exceptional offensively, or even worse, doesn't WANT to do anything with them.

Drouin being the worst of the top five in his draft class is about as likely as Stamkos magically forgetting how to score.

Fans didn't seem happy when Sutter stifled the offensive guys and Keenan mistreated Kipper... Cooper is that same mold. Stubborn and lucky. Luck runs out.

[Lord Carnage]

Originally Posted by Matty81

Personally I am fine with drouin doing this. It sucks for the team experiencing it but NHL franchises are a joke of an employer. If I had that unique of a skillset in the world and you told me I had to work for the same employer for 8 years or I couldn't find an equivalent job, and then my boss sucked or we hated each other... Yeah I get it. People saying it's entitlement should look in the mirror and ask themselves if they'd be willing to work a bad job for 8 years when other employers wanted you.

I think soccer is a much better and more free market system. When your contract is up, go where you want. No bs salary cap or ridiculous draft to allocate players to welfare case teams either.

Personally, I have no problem blaming this on 'entitlement issues' (combined with a self-absorbed agent), and equally no problem looking in the mirror.

There have been a few times in my life thought I could or should get more, but the course that I chose in those situations was to work harder at what I was told I needed to focus on.

When your boss is generally older (more mature) than you, acting like a petulant child is not a way to have them say, "sure thing, let me get you what you want..."

Maybe that's because I'm in my 40s now, and not a member of the ME generation?? I just can't understand actions like Drouin's...

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Doesn't sound like his agent was involved in this decision:

Michael Augello @MikeInBuffalo
According to SYR coach Rob Zettler, Jonathan Drouin informed the team he wouldn't play against TOR after the morning skate #tblightning #NHL

If his agent was involved, Drouin wouldn't have to say anything to the coach.

Wouldn't it be Drouin's responsibility talk to coaches about these things. I mean, if he was calling in sick, he wouldn't call his agent to them call the coach, would he?

[CampbellsTransgressions]

Originally Posted by 868904

Hey it worked for Sven Baertschi, he's a star now for the Canucks. No green text.

If there were any hockey justice, Sven would find no success given his behaviour, but the reality is whiny entitled brats always get what they want in the end.

Drouin will end up a star somewhere else and he will think he handled this all properly.

Baertschi never complained and caused drama so it isn't exactly fair. He was also with the Flames for a lot longer than Drouin has been with Tampa.

He was also only traded because the Flames were going to be forced to give him a roster spot. That kind of privilege is reserved for Joe Colborne and Joe Colborne only.