Monday, January 4, 2016

On the Move?

It was a mere two and a half years ago that Jonathan Drouin was as close to the top of the world as one could get, having been drafted third overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2013 NHL Draft, which followed a memorable season in which he helped the Halifax Mooseheads win the Presidents' Trophy in the QMJHL and the Memorial Cup soon after.  As of today, the relationship between Drouin and the Lightning is rather strained, as word of Drouin requesting a trade out of Tampa has come out, something that had been simmering since November.

Given that the Drouin situation has parallels to the Tyler Seguin/Boston Bruins dust-up of 2013, in which the Bruins ultimately traded Seguin to Dallas that Summer, it is entirely possible that a team could pony up an offer the Lightning couldn't refuse, but who would be the most likely to do so?  This is where I put on my General Manager's hat and narrow it down to five teams that could make the move for Drouin.


  • ANAHEIM DUCKS: They've struggled out of the gate offensively, though they have picked it up lately.  They still have a deep prospect pool, and given that they need to start thinking younger, as Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, and Ryan Kesler are all about to exit the prime of their careers, getting Drouin would help on the wings alongside either Getzlaf or Kesler.
  • CALGARY FLAMES: Another team with a very good prospect pool, they've also been mentioned as long shots to get Drouin's teammate Steven Stamkos. However, the Flames are more likely to address the goalie situation, as despite the depth, they do not have a number one player ready at that position.
  • NEW YORK RANGERS: Lacking prospects, the Rangers could still trade for Drouin, as they could move a couple players from their NHL roster to get Drouin. Plus, they've had this habit of trading away their first round picks lately, so if they throw in their first round pick for 2016, anything can happen.
  • VANCOUVER CANUCKS: Homer pick, I know, but the Canucks need to get younger. If Tampa Bay comes knocking for a player like Alex Burrows or Radim Vrbata plus a draft pick for Drouin, the Canucks would be wise to listen. Like Calgary, however, this would be a long shot, as they don't have the prospects...unless they decide to trade Jake Virtanen.
  • WINNIPEG JETS: I have to think of them as the favorites, as they have the prospect pool, and they've been able to make trades involving malcontents without giving up too much. Andrew Ladd could be a throw-in if the Jets decide to eventually hand Blake Wheeler the C.
All of the possibilities are wild speculation, since it hasn't been made clear where Drouin would like to land if traded.  It is a possibility that a team no one thinks of could sneak in to get Drouin (e.g. Detroit), but whoever gets Drouin would be getting a player that is still young enough to live up to potential, but one that needs refinement.

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