The Tampa Bay Lightning may end up keeping Jonathan Drouin at the trade deadline after the young winger requested a trade earlier in the season.
According to Pierre LeBrun of TSN, Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman is looking to make a deal with Drouin, but said that he will not simply make a deal just to make one. LeBrun reports that the team will be looking for value for the young winger and that could be tough after Drouin was the third overall pick in the 2013 draft.
Drouin's trade request was made public last month and according to the Fourth Period, he is "waiting for the team to move him." LeBrun reports that if the team doesn't find a deal they think is suitable, there is a good chance Tampa Bay will hang onto Drouin instead. Numerous teams have been mentioned in reports about Drouin since his trade request went public, with the St. Petersburg Times reporting that the Nashville Predators, Anaheim Ducks, Minnesota Wild, and St. Louis Blues all could be options.
Drouin was suspended from the team in January after he did not report to a game against the Toronto Marlies. Drouin was originally assigned to Syracuse in the AHL by the Lightning after suffering a lower body injury. Drouin played for the team earlier in January, including in a game against Albany, but he was later suspended without pay after failing to show up for the Toronto game.
The Lightning are currently battling for playoff position in the east, as they are in the second wild card spot with 66 points. The Lightning made a Stanley Cup run last season and while they are arguably a better team with the young star on the roster, Yzerman could make a move if the right type of deal comes along.
The trade deadline is February 29.