You can go ahead and add another bunch of names to the list of NHL franchises reportedly chasing a Jonathan Drouin trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Michael Russo of the Minnesota Star Tribune reported Wednesday morning that the Minnesota Wild are amongst a group of teams that now includes the Rangers, the Blues, the Ducks, the Islanders, the Avalanche, the Jets, the Canadiens and the Devils.
Per Russo, the Wild pushed pretty hard on a Ryan Johansen trade with the Blue Jackets before the No. 1 center was dealt to the Predators in exchange for Seth Jones. Wild GM Chuck Fletcher apparently offered defenseman Jonas Brodin and a forward to the Blue Jackets.
But for Drouin, a former first-round pick who has yet to really make much, if any, of a mark at the NHL level, the price will likely be significantly lower. Russo suggests that the asking price for Yzerman is a "young player of similar ilk" to Drouin.
Enter Matt Dumba.
The Lightning have apparently asked for Dumba, a 21-year-old coming off his entry level deal. Yzerman, as has been suggested elsewhere, is looking to acquire a player over whom he will keep contractual control for some time, so Dumba, a pending restricted free agent, would seem to fit the bill.
Dumba finished last season ranked third amongst rookie NHL defenseman with eight goals in 58 games. Through 43 games this season, Dumba has five goals and six assists and a minus-four rating.
