When the Tampa Bay Lightning sent former first round pick Jonathan Drouin to the minors on Saturday, it felt like there was more going on than just the lack of playing time that general manager Steve Yzerman explained it away as.
Former third overall pick Jonathan Drouin requested trade from Tampa Bay Lightning
Low playing time and a recent demotion have made the relationship tense.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Now, thanks to Drouin’s agent Allan Walsh, we know the team and prospect have had issues for awhile now. In a statement to TSN’s Bob McKenzie on Sunday, Walsh explained that he had asked the Lightning for a trade on behalf of Drouin in November.
A statement from Jonathan Drouin's agent Allan Walsh regarding his client's future in TB: pic.twitter.com/Vhwet1IpTW
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 3, 2016 Here’s the full statement:
On behalf of Jonathan Drouin, I formally requested a trade from the Tampa Bay Lightning back in November. We have not said one word about this untenable situation publicly until today. It’s in everyone’s best interests that Jonathan be allowed to move on and play hockey. Let’s be clear, Jonathan loves playing for fans in Tampa, he loves his teammates and many people within the Lightning organization have treated him well. It was his sincere intention to play in Tampa many years.
A highly touted prospect, Drouin was the the third overall pick in 2013 behind Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon and Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov. Drouin has two goals and eight points in 19 games this season and has struggled to log much ice time on a Tampa Bay squad that's struggled to find offense through the first half of the season.
Drouin might just get his wish, since making trade requests public isn’t usually a great tactic to get on your GM or coach’s good side.
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