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

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I think Horvat's Canuck stink is making some people underrate him. He is progressing well.

He might never be a regular ppg player, but he will be a key player like a Patrick Sharp or Craig Conroy.

I could be wrong, but I think he's going to end up as a slightly better version of Backlund. Not that that's a bad thing, but I do get the sense his potential is overrated. I sure wouldn't want to be in the position of counting on him to be a top 6 center going forward.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

I could be wrong, but I think he's going to end up as a slightly better version of Backlund. Not that that's a bad thing, but I do get the sense his potential is overrated. I sure wouldn't want to be in the position of counting on him to be a top 6 center going forward.

He's going to be a good 2nd line centre I think, but he is grossly over-rated by Canuck fans as a result of them being starved for top-end prospects.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

He's going to be a good 2nd line centre I think, but he is grossly over-rated by Canuck fans as a result of them being starved for top-end prospects.

He's a good player, don't get me wrong, I just don't see him as a 2nd line center on a contender. More like an elite 3rd line guy. The comparisons to Monahan are straight up laughable. He doesn't seem to possess the offense that I would want out of my 2nd line center is all. He has a lot of other nice attributes that are desirable in a player though.

[Lanny_McDonald]

I have to add to the Horvat discussion. He's on a pace for 15G and 36P which is an improvement over last year's totals. He's probably a 2nd line center or a high end third line center. So the Backlund comparison is close, although I would take Horvat over Backlund 10 times out of 10.

[sureLoss]

Friedman in his latest 30 thoughts thinks Fabbri is off the table for St. Louis

[SuperMatt18]

18 points in 46 games and the guy has looked good.

Watched a St.Louis game last week and he looked dynamic.

Blues just got Berglund back, and Schwartz should be back after the break. Statsny is just rounding into form, and Fabbri and Rattie have looked good.

No use to sell the farm for an unproven Drouin at this point.

[442scotty]

Drouin is probably one of those loads of talent, own worst enemy players that never quite puts it all together...

[Hackey]

Unless we land him cheap and then have the entire league regretting not making a trade.

[CaptainCrunch]

It would be interesting to hear the discussions between GM's about this.

The bottom line is if Yzerman was hearing what he wanted Drouin would be long gone, he's a cancer to the Lightning organization.

No matter what anyone says, the GM's all talk and they're all saying the same thing, that a kid who has done very little in his pro career, even when given the chance in his rookie year, that packs up his bags and goes home is more of a speculation and take a chance trade then a hockey trade.

And what happens if he shows up and you don't automatically put him in the NHL, or you have to demote him, does he sulk some more?

I'm pretty sure that if an organization at this point offered a first round pick, Yzerman would have pulled the trigger.

I'm betting there are a lot of bargin hunters and tire kickers that aren't willing to sell the farm for this kid, and probably not much of a bidding war.

If Drouin ends up missing the rest of this year, which is crucial development time, he's screwed. I don't doubt that if they can't move him, they'll retain his rights and sit on him.

[Split98]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

I think it would be a fantastic deal for the Oilers. Taylor Hall would get a chance to show his leadership qualities and guide Drouin into the light. Hallsy will take him for a boat ride, they will have bananas and another Oiler superstar will shine brightly...

I really really really wish I had time to Photoshop this right now...

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Friedman in his latest 30 thoughts thinks Fabbri is off the table for St. Louis

Implying that he was once on the table.

A signal that offers for Drouin are growing weaker?

Hold onto him long enough and we might be able to grab him for a Hanowski.

[Da_Chief]

Remember Flames December winning streak and some suggesting Cal 1st for Drouin? Good times.

[Poe969]

If anything, I think it's the ultimate buy low time on this kid. I just think Stevey Y would rather let him rot then trade his rights because he'll get next to nothing now. If he could be had at a low cost, it could be great. If he busts then it didn't really cost much.

I think now that other teams are backing away, the power is shifting completely to Stevey Y

[kukkudo]

Can Drouin go play in the KHL? or Swiss league?

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by kukkudo

Can Drouin go play in the KHL? or Swiss league?

The only way he can play in the Europe this season or next season is if the Lightning give him permission. Otherwise the IIHF will rule him ineligible to play in any member nation while his NHL contract is valid.

Once his current contract with the Lightning is finished, he can play in Europe without the consent of the Lightning.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

The only way he can play in the Europe this season or next season is if the Lightning give him permission. Otherwise the IIHF will rule him ineligible to play in any member nation while his NHL contract is valid.

Once his current contract with the Lightning is finished, he can play in Europe without the consent of the Lightning.

But Tampa will wisely qualify his RFA deal and keep his rights for basically ever.

[Hackey]

I'm sure he will dealt next summer if it doesn't happen this year. Can't see an organization just holding a young kid hostage like that.

[Ashasx]

If Drouin doesn't play a single game for the rest of the season, that's an unlikely relationship to repair and they'd be lucky to get more than a 3rd round pick.

The sooner they trade him, the better it is for all parties.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Hackey

I'm sure he will dealt next summer if it doesn't happen this year. Can't see an organization just holding a young kid hostage like that.

If the Bolts can't use the asset, why gift it to someone else to use?

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

If the Bolts can't use the asset, why gift it to someone else to use?

Is there no cost to holding a young player's career ransom just to prove a point?