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

[mikephoen]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Iginla, Nieuwendyk and Gilmour all sat out either while under contract or while their rights were held by the Flames.

Does anyone who follows the NHL (that isn't a Flames fan) even think about that when the name "Iginla", "Nieuwendyk" or "Gilmour" comes up? No. Why? Because no one cares. They care about what those players did on the ice.

Lindros held out at the draft, and while he's certainly remembered for it (But moreso remembered for the trade return that landed him in Philly), it's not even close to the defining characteristic of his career.

Once Drouin is trade, if he starts putting up points for his new team, is a good teammate on his new team, no one will care about this at all except for those who have attached spite to the conversation.

Meanwhile, a team in contention for the cup, a team in their prime competitive window, is missing out not only on Drouin, but also on the potential return he would get and how that would benefit the aspirations of the Lightning to win now.

If this situation was happening right now with Bennett and the Flames, I would be annoyed. If this had happened with the Flames and Phaneuf in his rookie season I would've been absolutely furious.

Iginla missed 3 regular season games because he and the Flames hadn't reached an agreement on a new contract. This is after getting his own insurance so he could attend training camp. While the Flames held his rights, he was not under contract, and the situation is in no way analogous with the Drouin situation. Which is why no-one thinks of that when thinking of Iginla.

Flames fans certainly think of the screw jobs that Gilmour and Nieuwendyk gave to the Flames. Maybe no other fans think of this, but that is only because it only affected the Flames and happened in an era where every situation didn't play out in the fishbowl of the internet.

This situation is much more like the Lindros or Turris one than most other examples. And neither of those names are brought up without the association of their holdouts also coming up.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Hackey

No one is saying Drouin is innocent in this or that Yzerman owes him anything but at the same time I don't see any benefit to the Lightning just letting him rot. Just seems petty...

The Lightning are not just being petty. They are also doing what they can to maintain the perception that they control the negotiation. If they panicked as a result of Drouin's decision to sit, it is entirely possible that this then become a validated negotiating tactic for every team's most valuable commodities: contracted RFAs. TB is doing their utmost to protect that negotiating power, which is smart.

[BergyBoy]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Iginla, Nieuwendyk and Gilmour all sat out either while under contract or while their rights were held by the Flames.

Does anyone who follows the NHL (that isn't a Flames fan) even think about that when the name "Iginla", "Nieuwendyk" or "Gilmour" comes up? No. Why? Because no one cares. They care about what those players did on the ice.

Lindros held out at the draft, and while he's certainly remembered for it (But moreso remembered for the trade return that landed him in Philly), it's not even close to the defining characteristic of his career.

Once Drouin is trade, if he starts putting up points for his new team, is a good teammate on his new team, no one will care about this at all except for those who have attached spite to the conversation.

Meanwhile, a team in contention for the cup, a team in their prime competitive window, is missing out not only on Drouin, but also on the potential return he would get and how that would benefit the aspirations of the Lightning to win now.

If this situation was happening right now with Bennett and the Flames, I would be annoyed. If this had happened with the Flames and Phaneuf in his rookie season I would've been absolutely furious.

The difference is the time we live in. Back then this information was not as easy and readily as available as everything is now a days. I bet you back then no one outside of Calgary was talking about this.

[GioforPM]

Iginla was, as was stated, a different situation. He was not under contract and exercised his only legal remedy.

I remain bitter about Gilmour's holdout. It was a breach of contract that resulted in the Flames getting weaker and Gilmour getting a great spot in TO.

Newy was also not a great action, though he didn't sign a contract which he then reneged on - it was an arbitration awarded contract. Still a breach of contract, but not of one he voluntarily signed.

None of them were raw rookies who hadn't even made the team full-time.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by BergyBoy

The difference is the time we live in. Back then this information was not as easy and readily as available as everything is now a days. I bet you back then no one outside of Calgary was talking about this.

I'm sure more than just people in Calgary were talking about the Rocket Richard winner holding out in 2002.

Edit: Nevermind, he held out a couple years earlier in 1999, I think he may have signed in 2002 prior and was only reported that he may hold out. Either way, I'm sure people knew Iginla was holding out when he did so.

I mean we remember Jason Allison holding out.

[JJ1532]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I disagree somewhat. He is absolutely jeopardising his NHL future by dramatically decreasing his own value, and catalysing the impression that he is a project. I think we are at the point now that regardless of what team he next plays for, he will end up starting on an AHL roster, and with major questions about whether he even can make it back to the NHL. If he sits for any amount of time, he will require AHL conditioning just to get back up to game-shape. I believe it is naive to think that he is immune from any long term damage because of this.

I think people seem to be forgetting as well that he has gone instantly into "me only" mode. He plays a team sport and has damaged not only the Lightning but the Crunch with his actions. He doesn't seem have any concept of what it means to be a team player. He is out for himself and himself alone. Not a great attitude to have at 20. Once you're in your 30s and the end of your career is in sight, you are more than entitled to play for yourself. But not at the beginning.

Ok, maybe he'll settle down once he gets a trade, but what happens if he gets traded to a team he doesn't like? Or has to play with players he doesn't like? Or has to work under a coach he doesn't like? Because I'd say there is a good chance the toys will be straight out the pram, as he's proven in Tampa. I'd argue this is perhaps in part why the trade hasn't been done yet. Yes, he might get traded and he might settle down, but I think he could have damaged his career prospects quite easily.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

TB is doing their utmost to protect that negotiating power, which is smart.

Would have been smarter to give him permission to sit out.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Lindros held out at the draft, and while he's certainly remembered for it (But moreso remembered for the trade return that landed him in Philly), it's not even close to the defining characteristic of his career.

For me it is, and I'm guessing it is for a lot of other hockey fans out there.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

For me it is, and I'm guessing it is for a lot of other hockey fans out there.

It's basically the equivalent of a top pick refusing to play for the Oilers right now, and I think we can all understand that reasoning.

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Would have been smarter to give him permission to sit out.

What message would this send to any other unhappy players in the Tampa organization?

If you're not happy that's ok, just ask for a trade and we will even let you sit out while getting paid!

Sorry but Drouin is a nobody and shouldn't get treated like he has any sort of respect whatsoever. We aren't talking about an older player who has done a tonne for the Tampa organization, we are talking about an unhappy young player who hasn't done squat yet.

[CroFlames]

I'd argue he's done less than squat. He's been detrimental to the club.

[Flash Walken]

Think of it like this.

You're looking to hire a guy. On the one hand, he has some good reviews from previous employers, but his most recent employer had less than favourable things to say about him.

You hire him, cautious of the previous assessment because he had an outstanding resume.

After you've hired him, nothing else matters except what he does while he's working for you. If he's an outstanding employee for you, who cares what his previous employer had to say, maybe that guy is the problem and not the guy you hired.

This situation has played out in multiple situations across the NHL. Do you think the Bruins cared that Marc Savard didn't like Gilbert and (maybe) Button? NO!

[icecube]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

For me it is, and I'm guessing it is for a lot of other hockey fans out there.

Lol. Let it go frenchie.

[Lord Carnage]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Would have been smarter to give him permission to sit out.

Right, because it HELPS them trade an asset when he is sitting out, doing nothing, and not getting scouted...

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Lord Carnage

Right, because it HELPS them trade an asset when he is sitting out, doing nothing, and not getting scouted...

You mean like now? Except that if you give him permission to sit instead of having a messy public spat everyone comes out looking better (and consequently making Drouin a better move able asset)... but no no go on and believe that the current situation is the more desirable outcome

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by icecube

Lol. Let it go frenchie.

Not upset with it, but when I think of Lindros that's the first thing I think of.

Anyway, off topic, my bad.

[Coach]

I'm a Flyers fan and the first thing I think about Lindros is that trade.

[Lord Carnage]

Originally Posted by Parallex

You mean like now? Except that if you give him permission to sit instead of having a messy public spat everyone comes out looking better (and consequently making Drouin a better move able asset)... but no no go on and believe that the current situation is the more desirable outcome

Actually you nailed it on the head - thank you.

As you stated above, choice #1 is to allow him to sit... well, as I pointed out, that does NOTHING to help the Lightning get good trade value to him, so they wouldn't want that.
So choice #2 is to let him just walk away from the team... obviously no better for the Lightning. Worse? Maybe, but everyone is going to be asking why they aren't playing the kid? Are they hiding something??

But obviously NEITHER choice is OK for the Lightning - why would they want either?

Seeing as both are bad, why should they have his trade value hurt but allow Drouin to come out smelling like a rose by picking the option that is better for him?

I don't think so. Drouin made a choice that is hurting both himself and the Lightning... so if he is making the stupid choice, he should come out looking, well... stupid (and self-absorbed, and petulant, and etc...).

[flamesfan1297]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

What message would this send to any other unhappy players in the Tampa organization?

If you're not happy that's ok, just ask for a trade and we will even let you sit out while getting paid!

Sorry but Drouin is a nobody and shouldn't get treated like he has any sort of respect whatsoever. We aren't talking about an older player who has done a tonne for the Tampa organization, we are talking about an unhappy young player who hasn't done squat yet.

I dont think he is getting paid right now.

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by flamesfan1297

I dont think he is getting paid right now.

Not right now.....while suspended but he would have been paid if they allowed his request to sit out.