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

[T@T]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I wouldn't give up that much, the kid has done nothing as a pro. He's really shown nothing in the AHL and the NHL to get that excited about.

And now because he's not being given a guaranteed NHL spot he's taking his ball and going home.

He's done little to earn anything.

And now he's listening to bad advice from his manager.

I like accumulating young talent as much as this guy. But I'm not giving up that much to see if this kid screws his head on straight and shows half the talent that he had going into the draft.

If you trade for him, and he's crappy and you send him to the farm is he going to pout again?

I have a hard time believing an agent would tell his blue chip prospect to sit out to force a trade, in the end Drouin is the boss and it's on him.

I do however think there's something very wrong in the Big Guava, St.Louis went totally against character and demanded a trade, A true superstar in Stamkos not signed at age 26 and now a 3rd overall pick demanding a trade.

Brett Connolly reportedly said after his trade to Boston "happiest hockey day since my draft day"

I have no reason to say it but it smells of a power tripping Stevie Y or meddling owner

[1qqaaz]

On the one hand, it seems like Steve Yzerman is not a great "player's manager". As is evident by the demands for trades and the delay in contracts.

But on the other hand, it seems like there are a lot of entitled young snots around the league.

I'm not sure if the Drouin situation is based on one or both of these two reasons. But yeah, hopefully McDavid decides to be a snot. I doubt this will happen though, since Edmonton just gives away the top line center spot for free.

[Calgary14]

I'm not familiar with this one, can someone explain why so much media attention is being given to a player who has scored a total of 6 goals?

[Chingas]

Originally Posted by Calgary14

I'm not familiar with this one, can someone explain why so much media attention is being given to a player who has scored a total of 6 goals?

Convenient to leave out 34 assists and almost half a point a game. If he was such a slouch with no upside you can be sure that there wouldn't be such noise. The kid still has great upside despite the contrary arguments.

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by Dajazz

Lets pretend a junior account manager comes in to my office, after 1.5 years of mediocre (at best) results and says; Boss, I wan't a key account, 20% salary increase and a new company car or I'll quit.

Well then...

I don't know the whole story, but where there is smoke there is fire. Self entitled, me first little ****. Tampa is a top team in the league WITHOUT him, so what does he think he'll win with this?

I hope Yzerman sets an example unless he can get a ridicoulus return. Or, trade him to Edmonton as punishment.

Let's pretend there were other junior accountants who graduated in the same class. They have been given the opportunity make mistakes and learn. While you have done not bad yourself so far (40 points in 89 games), your boss is extra anal and your supervisor likes to point out every mistake you make.

You've asked to move to a different branch, under a different manager, different supervisor and a different surrounding.

Your manager keeps telling you he will transfer you when he feels like he has the proper staff at his branch.

Well then....

I don't know the whole story, but where there is smoke there is fire. Dictator, me first little ****. His asset is losing value, so what does he think he'll win with keeping him?

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

As long as you don't mind your league being dominated by the same 3-5 teams for decades on end. I honestly don't know what motivates the fans of the 15 or so teams in the English Premier League who have no chance of winning a championship.

Leicester says hi. EPL is pretty balanced this year.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Chingas

Convenient to leave out 34 assists and almost half a point a game. If he was such a slouch with no upside you can be sure that there wouldn't be such noise. The kid still has great upside despite the contrary arguments.

I would be very concerned about those numbers. Most top end players, even the best playmakers, score a goal for every two assists they get. You might see someone stretch that to a 3:1 ratio, but Drouin is at a 6:1 ratio. That is a red light warning that maybe he's a guy who sponges off of other players and needs a big time scorer on his wing to have some success. The Flames don't have that Stamkos level of a scorer to play with, so I wonder what type of success he would have on the Flames? Right now Drouin has stats that look like an elite defenseman, not a scoring forward. I would be hesitant to take a risk on a guy like this. The more that comes out about him the more risk I see.

[Poe969]

hahahaha a guy who sponges off of other players? Sure, his numbers indicate that he's not a top 10 guy...I think if he was, things would have been done differently and teams would have given a lot for a potential top 10 player. Drouin is still a really good player and will likely end up on a teams second line.

I'd love to hose tampa in a trade for him and have him turn out to be incredible just to stick it to the lightning even more. I don't like tampa and never will.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Poe969

hahahaha a guy who sponges off of other players? Sure, his numbers indicate that he's not a top 10 guy...I think if he was, things would have been done differently and teams would have given a lot for a potential top 10 player. Drouin is still a really good player and will likely end up on a teams second line.

I'd love to hose tampa in a trade for him and have him turn out to be incredible just to stick it to the lightning even more. I don't like tampa and never will.

I'm unable to check right now, but how does the split on his assists look? Is he getting more primary or secondary assists? I think that will tell you whether he is a guy that sets up the offense or is another Sven Baertschi.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by CampbellsTransgressions

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.

Come again?

Baertschi was on several occasions vocal about his displeasure with how he was handled by the Flames, and intimated once or twice that he was not getting the playing time he deserved.

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.

He was traded because he forced the Flames hand. Mind you, he did this behind closed doors, but it was reported widely that Baertschi informed the Flames he would not sign his QO, and that he wished to be moved to another organisation.

[Poe969]

The kid is talented, he's fast and he creates offense. I think he's good, not amazing but good and I don't think he's in the Sven category. I wouldn't give up a lot for him and if we don't get him I hope some team does but I just think that he's still a pretty talented player from my limited viewing of him.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

I would personally add way more than that.

Klimchuck + Hickey + Granlund

Or whatever combination outside of Bennett, Gaudreau, Monahan, Hamilton, and Brodie. I'd probably reluctantly give up Ferland too. It's always better to add minor pieces for a monster franchise player

Does anyone still believe that Drouin is still a potential franchise player? At this point in his career and based on what he has accomplished, I don't see how.

[Poe969]

I think it's a stretch to consider him a "Monster Franchise Player" but I think he could be a solid contributor and either part of the core moving forward or one of those support players that makes the team a lot better.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

Leicester says hi. EPL is pretty balanced this year.

Exceptions do not disprove the rule. Only four teams have won the EPL/BPL title in the last 18 years, and only five have managed to finish top two. In terms of competitive balance, English Soccer has long been one of the biggest jokes in the entire sporting world.

[Senator Clay Davis]

I think it all depends where he goes. He basically needs to go somewhere he's gifted a top 6 role without much effort, and where even if he's not that good, won't get demoted. I mean we can see what he does when he doesn't get what he thinks he deserves. Though I joked about punishing him by sending him to Edmonton, Edmonton is basically the ideal spot for him. Top 6 minutes with no effort is assured.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Does anyone still believe that Drouin is still a potential franchise player? At this point in his career and based on what he has accomplished, I don't see how.

Franchise player? I doubt it. Star player though? IF he grows up and dumps Walsh as his agent. Still, the fact that he's an immature idiot and the fact that he does have Walsh as his agent makes me hesitate.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

...Some players just don't jive in an organization. Look at Vinny. Ryan Johanssen. Or any number of players throughout the NHL who have benefited from a change in scenery. Sometimes they simply don't benefit. Sometimes they just regress. But looking at pure odds from draft position, Drouin is more likely than not to be an NHLer.

I would tend to agree, but Drouin's performance and behaviour since being dispatched to the AHL must be of great concern to anyone who is trying to make a deal for him. If he really is as good as his draft position, then I would expect a much better showing at a lower level of play. Drouin's demands would be much more palatable if he would back them up with some on-ice evidence that make him easy to move, and he is not doing that right now.

[Vinny01]

I still want the Flames to try and acquire Drouin. Lines can be built on pairs and long term u could see Drouin-Monahan being a deadly combination on the second line. Stick Frolik with them and there is a lot of potential. Johnny-Bennett-Ferland (or someone better) can be the top line.

I believe Drouin will do great wherever he is traded but at the same time the move he pulled last night seriously hurts his trade value.

[CliffFletcher]

One thing this thread has taught me is that I don't understand what 'franchise player' means anymore.

[Demetric]

1. I don't get why everyone is putting the blame for Drouin and Stamkos on SteveY. Both these situations seems to stem more around the coach, not the GM. Sure the St. Louis could be linked to SteveY, but these other 2, I just don't see it.

2. Question, what would happen if TB just left him in the minors .... has 1 more year on his ELC ... but then what. Likely wont sign QO .... so then what? Does he become a free agent if no deal is signed?

3. Becuase TB will likely want more immediate help than prospects or picks I think something like Colborne + Grandlund + Russel for Drouin + Coburn (but might have to be Carle or Garrison)