Jonathan Drouin is back in the NHL.
The Tampa Bay Lightning have recalled the forward from the AHL's Syracuse Crunch, general manager Steve Yzerman announced Thursday. A banged-up Lightning squad is in New Jersey to face the Devils on Thursday, so it's assumed he'll be in the lineup.
It's been a whirlwind season for Drouin and the Lightning. On Jan. 3, one day after Drouin was sent to the minors in order to get more playing time, Drouin's agent, Allan Walsh, confirmed he requested a trade on behalf of his client in November 2015.
After playing seven games for Syracuse in January, scoring twice, Drouin left the team and was subsequently suspended by Tampa Bay. Walsh followed up by saying "it is clearly in both sides' best interests that the Lightning trade Jonathan as there is no reason for Jonathan to continue with the Lightning organization in any capacity."
But Yzerman refused to budge. He maintained he'd only make a trade that made sense for the Lightning. And after sitting out almost two months, Drouin, who turned 21 on March 27, returned to Syracuse, ending his self-imposed holdout.
Drouin scored seven goals and added an assist in eight games in March, and has two goals for the Crunch in two games in April. He has two goals and six assists in 19 games for the Lightning this season.
According to TSN's Bob McKenzie, if Drouin plays in the Lightning's final two games of the regular season, this season will officially count toward his unrestricted free-agency status - "but (Tampa Bay) not concerned with that," he added.
If Drouin accrues this season, he'll be on pace to be UFA on July 1, 2021. If not, won't be UFA eligible until 2022. #Bolts
— General Fanager (@generalfanager) April 7, 2016
What impact Drouin has on the Lightning, and how he's used by head coach Jon Cooper, will be fascinating to watch over Tampa Bay's final two games. Drouin played in only six games during the Lightning's playoff run last year, averaging 10 minutes of ice time per game.
Tampa Bay has clinched a playoff spot, but its final two games, thought to be meaningless, are now must-watch contests.
The Lightning also recalled defenseman Matt Taormina, with defenseman Slater Koekkoek headed down to Syracuse.
