The Tampa Bay Lightning have suspended Jonathan Drouin indefinitely, and without pay, following the player’s failure to report for an AHL game versus the Toronto Marlies on the night of Wednesday, January 20th,, 2016.
Jonathan Drouin has been suspended indefinitely without pay after failing to report for tonight’s Syracuse Crunch game vs. Toronto.
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) January 21, 2016
Lightning Suspend Jonathan Drouin
Following a very public trade request made earlier this month by Drouin’s agent Allan Walsh, the player reported to Tampa’s AHL affiliate the Syracuse Crunch, presumably awaiting news of a trade.
Ironically, several NHL scouts were present at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto, presumably to watch Drouin in action.
A recent report had Tampa’s front office advising Walsh that a trade involving Drouin was getting “closer to completion”, which led to a request to permit the former 3rd overall pick to be absent from games in order to minimize the risk of an injury which might jeopardize the opportunity to complete the transaction. Walsh’s request was subsequently denied, and as a result, Walsh apparently advised his client to fail to report.
Walsh released the following statement on the matter:
“In light of the latest developments, it is clearly in both sides’ best interests that the Tampa Bay Lightning trade Jonathan as there is no reason for Jonathan to continue with the Tampa Bay Lightning in any capacity. We will have no further comment as we await the Tampa Bay Lightning to conclude a trade that involves Jonathan.”
Bolts GM Steve Yzerman has not commented publicly on the matter at this point.
TSN Hockey analyst Bob McKenzie weighed in, stating that players on an entry-level contract have “zero rights” in these situations, and are “basically, at the mercy of the hockey club”. McKenzie added that the decision not to report could also be “diminishing his own value to other teams.”
While this is an unenviable position for Yzerman, unlike the Stamkos scenario, he holds all the cards, and can force the player to sit without pay until either the return is acceptable, or the player reports as he contractually obligated to do.
The “suspension without pay” however should be taken in context. Drouin is making $396 per day with the Syracuse Crunch in the AHL. He would make over $5,000 per day in the NHL plus bonuses. In other words, for every two weeks Drouin is suspended without pay, if it means his trade comes one day sooner, he’s actually ahead financially.
Add in the fact that he also has only been on the Lightning roster for 38 games this year (IR plus games played) and needs to be on a roster for two more games to accrue a year of service time towards free agency and its clear to see why Drouin and his agent, Walsh, are taking extreme tactics to push the issue, given the fact the Lightning did not appear close to recalling Drouin to the parent club.
Whether the Drouin’s posturing in this matter negatively impacts his appeal to the potential suitor allegedly close to formalizing an exchange to land his rights is an unknown, however, the stance taken by both Walsh and Drouin is certain to give cause to contemplate what could be viewed as a potential “red flag”.
The former third overall draft pick of 2013 has amassed a total of 40 points across 89 NHL games.
NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 24: Jonathan Drouin #27 of the Tampa Bay Lightning plays against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on September 24, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
