NHL Trade Rumors: 15 to 20 teams showing interest in Jonathan Drouin
The Tampa Bay Lightning have reportedly had anywhere from 15 to 20 NHL teams show interest in Jonathan Drouin
The Tampa Bay Lightning are looking to gear up for what could be their last Stanley Cup run with their current core of players. Their most valuable trade asset could be forward Jonathan Drouin, who hasn’t played since January after his agent demanded a trade from the team. Tampa Bay has not has a shortage of suitors for the talented young forward, according to Bob McKenzie.
Often asked where Drouin may go. No strong sense at this time. I'd say 15 to 20 teams have shown varying degrees interest at varying times.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 27, 2016
McKenzie specifically named 19 teams who he believes have had talks with Tampa Bay about Drouin.
Teams, at times, with maybe > than cursory int: ANA, ARI, BOS, CAR, CHI, COL, MIN, MTL, NSH, NJD, NYI, NYR, OTT, PHI, SJ, STL, TOR, VAN, WPG
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 27, 2016
Jonathan Drouin could get the Tampa Bay Lightning a very nice package. It remains to be seen precisely what they want in return for him but if there are truly 19 teams interested in him, they shouldn’t have any problems getting what they want. They would most likely want to add some defensive depth thanks to the recent injury to defenseman Jason Garrison.
Obviously, they would require more than just one defenseman. One would have to imagine that a first round pick or a prospect (or both) would be involved in any return for Drouin. Drouin was the third overall pick in the 2013 NHL Draft after starring with first overall pick Nathan MacKinnon in Halifax.