Agent for Lightning's Drouin admits to November trade request
All is not well in Tampa Bay.
A day after the Lightning sent forward Jonathan Drouin to the AHL's Syracuse Crunch, Drouin's agent, Allan Walsh, took to Twitter to break the silence about his client, admitting he requested a trade in November:
On behalf of Jonathan Drouin, I formally requested a trade from the Tampa Bay Lightning 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 the 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 for many years.
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Drouin has failed to mesh with the Lightning since being drafted third overall in 2013. He was a healthy scratch six times last season and in 20 of the club's 26 playoff games.
Related: Yzerman's tough decisions in coming months will shape Lightning for years
TB GM Steve Yzerman is likely to address the Walsh statement/Drouin trade request later today. He's on a flight this afternoon.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 3, 2016
Drouin isn't in the Crunch lineup for their game Sunday against the Toronto Marlies, and will join the team Tuesday.