The relationship between the Tampa Bay Lightning and forward Jonathan Drouin has deteriorated further, perhaps to the point where reconciliation is no longer feasible. On Wednesday, Drouin refused to take the ice for the Lightning's AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, leading to a situation that TSN's Bob McKenzie dubbed, "nuclear."
The Lightning's response to Drouin's refusal to play was swift.
Jonathan Drouin has been suspended indefinitely without pay after failing to report for tonight’s Syracuse Crunch game vs. Toronto.
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) January 21, 2016
A strongly-worded response from Drouin's agent Allan Walsh followed shortly thereafter.
Statement from Drouin's agent Allan Walsh: pic.twitter.com/oWZKopXmwj — Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 21, 2016
Walsh asserts that the Lightning and Yzerman had advised him that a trade involving Drouin was "moving closer to completion." That's extremely non-specific and could mean just about anything, but it sure sounds like Yzerman was, at the very least, sending positive signals to Drouin and Walsh that his time in AHL purgatory was close an end.
But in reality, it sounds more like Yzerman was taking his time, and is likely to continue doing so. According to Frank Seravalli of TSN, Yzerman has been "bidding up suitors" by informing them of offers from other clubs. This, of course, slows the process and, as Seravalli notes, clouds "the sense for some teams as to whether they were really in the running."
As talented as he is, Drouin showed little in his time with the Lightning that would prove he's worthy of a fulltime NHL roster spot at this point. "More than a dozen," teams have expressed "serious interest," per Seravalli, but value is likely difficult to determine at this point for a guy who represents mostly unrealized potential.
The decision to go "nuclear," likely in an effort to force Yzerman's hand, probably won't be viewed in a positive light around the league. Anaheim Ducks GM Bob Murray has already made comments this week indicating that Drouin's decision to ask for a trade did not set well with him. It wouldn't be surprising if Drouin's decision not to play has resulted in similar feelings among the league's other personnel executives.
But, as is always the case, all it takes is one team to fall in love with Drouin and convince themselves that they'd be able to get the best out of the enigmatic young talent.
For now though, the Lightning and Yzerman hold all the cards. And Drouin will remain suspended until a trade comes or he begs his way back into the lineup for the Crunch - two guesses on which one is more like to come first.
