Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman might have his pick of several trade offers from NHL teams hoping to acquire winger Jonathan Drouin before the Feb. 29 trade deadline.
According to TSN’s Bob McKenzie, about a third of the league is interested.
“There’s a sense that maybe the finish line is in sight,” McKenzie said during Tuesday’s edition of “Insider Trading.” “Obviously, Steve Yzerman isn’t obliged to trade Drouin by Monday’s deadline, but there are more and more teams getting more and more interested as we get closer to that deadline.
“Right now, I would say there’s easily 10-plus teams (interested in Drouin), and the list I would suggest is growing because those teams sense that the finish line might be in sight. They’re putting their best foot forward to Steve Yzerman. Whether he pulls the trigger on Monday, we don’t know, but the offers that he’s getting would appear to be more numerous as we head toward that deadline.”
Drouin was the third overall pick in the 2013 draft. He hasn’t lived up to expectations, though, with just 40 points (six goals, 34 assists) in 89 career NHL games. In his defense, the Lightning haven’t given him much of an opportunity to develop, and the team’s impressive forward depth hasn’t made it easy for a young player to crack the top-six.
Still, there’s no doubting Drouin has first-line offensive skill and excellent speed. He’d be a very good second- or third-line upgrade for a Stanley Cup contender lacking scoring depth, such as the Anaheim Ducks, St. Louis Blues or Los Angeles Kings, among others.
Drouin’s contract doesn’t expire until after next season, so as McKenzie noted above, there’s no need for Yzerman to make a panic move and accept an offer that doesn’t meet the player’s value.
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
