The Anaheim Ducks aren't the only chasing a Jonathan Drouin trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning, but it sure sounds like they're certainly doing what they can to acquire the talented youngster. While the Rangers, Canadiens, Blues and others have already been well-documented Drouin admirers, not much has been said about the Ducks and GM Bob Murray.
That may be about to chance.
A day after TSN's Bob McKenzie said, while appearing on Edmonton's TSN 1260, that he believes Anaheim "would have interest," comes word from Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman that that is indeed the case.
"Among the pursuers for Jonathan Drouin, one source warned Monday Anaheim hasn't got enough mention. It's a logical bet, because no one needs offensive help more than the Ducks," Friedman reported Tuesday.
Of course this makes ample sense. The Ducks are currently last in the league in scoring. Through 41 games the Ducks have, as a team, potted just 76 goals. That's 14 less than the second-to-last team, the Philadelphia Flyers, and 71 less than the league-leading Dallas Stars.
Yes, the Ducks are playing a more sound defensive game under Bruce Boudreau and have allowed just 97 goals, tied for the fourth-best mark in the league. But stopping the other team in the defensive zone matters little if you can't then take those opportunities and turn them into goals - a negative goal differential is all that matters in the end.
As Friedman notes though and as has been written in this space previously, the addition of Drouin wouldn't necessarily solve any of the Ducks' - or any other team's - scoring issues in the here and now. Yes, it would add a supremely talented player to the mix for Anaheim, but Drouin is still unrealized potential more than anything else.
In 89 NHL games between this season and last, Drouin managed just six goals and 34 points. Some of that was the manner in which he was used by Lightning coach Jon Cooper, but some of it was very much on Drouin. Again, he's very talented, but he doesn't have any one trait that seems to stick out as his go-to.
As for potential compensation, Friedman - and others - are hearing that Yzerman is looking for a young player under contractual control for "some time." Brandon Montour fits that description. He also fits the description of a right-handed defenseman with offensive capability - Montour currently holds the second spot in the AHL in scoring among both defenseman and rookies.
Would the Ducks, who have a strong young defense highlighted by Shea Theodore, be willing to move a player like Montour for Drouin?
It's a difficult question to answer, but it's already been a difficult season for the Ducks and their fans. What's one more tough decision?
