Lightning suspend Drouin for missing AHL game

The Tampa Bay Lightning suspended forward Jonathan Drouin indefinitely without pay Wednesday for failing to report to an American Hockey League game between the Syracuse Crunch and Toronto Marlies.

Drouin, the No. 3 pick in the 2013 NHL Draft, has been with Syracuse since Jan. 2. A trade request made on his behalf by his agent in November was revealed the next day.

Tampa Bay said it will have no further comment.

Analysis: Lightning hold all the cards

By Dan Rosen - NHL.com Senior Writer
Seventeen days after Jonathan Drouin's trade request went public, the 20-year-old forward chose not to report to play in his AHL game with the Syracuse Crunch, a bold move by him and his agent, Allan Walsh, clearly aimed at backing Tampa Bay GM Steve Yzerman into a corner. But it's a move that might blow up in their faces. READ MORE ›

Drouin's agent, Allan Walsh, released a statement that said in part, "We proposed to Tampa that Jonathan not play in the next few AHL games but continue practicing with the club to avoid any potential injury from preventing an imminent trade. Unfortunately, the Tampa Bay Lightning refused this reasonable request, however, Jonathan was not willing to accept this risk."

It ends, "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 organization in any capacity. We will have no further comment as we await the Tampa Bay Lightning to conclude a trade that involves Jonathan."

Drouin had two goals and an assist in seven games with Syracuse.

"It's fun," the 20-year-old said Monday after playing against Rochester. "This is a great group of guys. We have a lot of fun down here. Those guys, they want to win. It's the same thing when I come here, we want to win. We've been on a bit of a roll, so I think we're happy with that."

Syracuse coach Rob Zettler said Drouin had fit in with his teammates.

"I see a kid who is really engaged," Zettler said Monday. "I see him having some fun, I see him having some fun with his teammates. I asked him what he did yesterday, he said, 'I was just hanging out with the boys.' He's engaged, he seems to be having some fun with his teammates, and we're winning some hockey games, so I think he's having some fun."

Drouin struggled to earn consistent ice time and a defined role under coach Jon Cooper in two seasons with Tampa Bay. He had 32 points (four goals, 28 assists) in 70 games as a rookie but did not have a point playing in six of the Lightning's 26 games in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Drouin had six points (one goal, five assists) in his first five games this season but missed 19 games because of injuries and had two points in his past 14 NHL games.

Tampa Bay general manager Steve Yzerman has acknowledged Drouin's trade request but said he would deal him only if it improved the Lightning on the ice moving forward.

There have been several NHL scouts at Syracuse games, presumably to watch Drouin in advance of a possible trade. At least eight were in attendance for the game against Rochester.