He's a graduate of the Mike Gillis School of Waiting For a Better Deal

In all seriousness, teams are lowballing Tampa and Steve is overvaluing Drouin right now. Steve needs to just take the best deal he has, shop it around and pull the trigger, waiting isnt going to get a better return for a prospect
- WhiteLie

Well what Drouin and Walsh just did isn't helping to facilitate what they want. As you are suggesting, Yzerman shouldn't have to change what he does to appease any individual player's wish. His job is to do what is best for the Bolts.

This year, the Lightning sent Drouin to the AHL after 38 games on the roster, which would prevent him from accruing another season of service at the NHL level (40 games). That would keep him under control as a restricted free agent until 2022, not 2021 should he be on the roster for another two games.

From TSN

This could also play into the situation further. Definitely fits the argument that Tampa is trying to retain more control on Drouin's future

Steve doesn't need to do anything. Drouin needs to honor his contract if he wants to be paid. If I were Steve I'd tell Drouin to give his head a shake and start proving his worth on the ice or a trade will never happen. I'd wait until Drouin accepted this and his stock rose before I sold him.

And if he doesn't want to accept it and play hockey then I'd let him sit at home and not make (frank) all for the next few years until he does get it.

I certainly wouldn't let a 20 year old kid on a UFA undermine the integrity of my entire organization and development system.
- RonPielep

If Steve is acting on the best interest of the team, then yes he needs to. Diminishing a highly valued asset is not good management regardless of how the situation came about. Someone shuffled his deck and hes got to play with the hand he is dealt now

Steve doesn't need to do anything. Drouin needs to honor his contract if he wants to be paid. If I were Steve I'd tell Drouin to give his head a shake and start proving his worth on the ice or a trade will never happen. I'd wait until Drouin accepted this and his stock rose before I sold him.

And if he doesn't want to accept it and play hockey then I'd let him sit at home and not make (frank) all for the next few years until he does get it.

I certainly wouldn't let a 20 year old kid on a UFA undermine the integrity of my entire organization and development system.
- RonPielep

My whole article was based on this kind of childish behavior being condoned by adults being disgusting. The idea that people make a moral argument and then suggest Yzerman act like he's five is crazy/sad. After all your ill-advised condescending comments, thank you so much for finally making my point for me.

Well what Drouin and Walsh just did isn't helping to facilitate what they want. As you are suggesting, Yzerman shouldn't have to change what he does to appease any individual player's wish. His job is to do what is best for the Bolts.
- uf1910

Im suggesting that he does whats best for the Bolts and takes the best deal he can. I made a comment on Gillis in jest, but look at Luongo-Schneider situation, both trades weren't the return most were expecting. He held onto both goalies longer than he should have and it bit the Canucks

Any facts here? Let's fix it. Vinny was signed before Yzerman, before the NHL even had a salary cap so Yzerman had to fix that since it was a bad cap move. Carle was a mistake, totally agree, but Carle put up 35-40 points per year before Yzerman signed him. Now we can tell it was a bad deal but every GM has signed bad deals, not just Yzerman.
- Kucherovski

Exactly my point, Yzerman makes more better decisions than bad ones so isn't perfect. His reputation is better than his record was my key point.

But you never had a choice to begin with because Shell bought the rights to your employment.........
Unless you choose not to work I guess...
- Pres.cup

Unless you choose not to sign a contract with a local oil company is a more accurate analogy.

He had other overseas hockey options available after his draft year, not to mention a whole wide world of non-hockey related professions to pursue if he didn't want to go to Tampa.

If Steve is acting on the best interest of the team, then yes he needs to. Diminishing a highly valued asset is not good management regardless of how the situation came about. Someone shuffled his deck and hes got to play with the hand he is dealt now
- WhiteLie

Allowing the value of Drouin to diminish is peanuts in the bigger picture of trying to manage player development and effectively run an organization. By letting Drouin play hardball and force you into a corner you are undermining the integrity of your teams management and risking much more serious asset losses than Drouin's diminished value.

I don't know what about this is so difficult to understand. Seems like (frank)ing rocket science to James Tanner.

The owner was invoked to make the point that people making a moral argument against Drouin are being ridiculous, which they are.
- James_Tanner

Well since character is the factor being discussed, wouldn't the fair comparison be between other players? You are comparing a rich owner who made his money outside of hockey to a player who could make lots of money playing hockey.

And since you are talking "character" of the owner, well there is this aspect which you failed to mention in your piece regarding the character Vinik has.

http://lightning.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=50496

http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=794353

Garcia becomes the 196th Lightning Community Hero since Jeff and Penny Vinik introduced the program in 2011-12 with a $10 million, five-season commitment to the Tampa Bay community. Through this evening’s game, in total, the Lightning Foundation has granted $9.95 million to more than 300 different non-profits in the Greater Tampa Bay area.

So yes, by all means tell me more about the character Vinik possesses as it compares to a 20 year old hockey player who believes he is exempt from the maturation process that many of his teammates went through and as a result became better hockey players

My whole article was based on this kind of childish behavior being condoned by adults being disgusting. The idea that people make a moral argument and then suggest Yzerman act like he's five is crazy/sad. After all your ill-advised condescending comments, thank you so much for finally making my point for me.
- James_Tanner

Childish behavior? What are you talking about James? Get a (frank)ing clue man, it's called business/asset/risk management and it supersedes Drouin's feelings of entitlement.

Acting like he is 5? He is doing his (frank)ing job by looking out for the best interest of his club and setting a precedent to young players in the future that you can't hardball your way out of putting in hard work in the minors. But yes, we know you don't care about contracts, precedent or the law which probably explains why you have no (frank)ing clue what Yzerman is doing let alone what business management is about.

From TSN

This could also play into the situation further. Definitely fits the argument that Tampa is trying to retain more control on Drouin's future
- WhiteLie

Couldn't assign him to AHL while injured but Lightning are flexing their contract muscles.

From TSN

This could also play into the situation further. Definitely fits the argument that Tampa is trying to retain more control on Drouin's future
- WhiteLie

He was outplayed by other players...plain and simple

Unless you choose not to sign a contract with a local oil company is a more accurate analogy.

He had other overseas hockey options available after his draft year, not to mention a whole wide world of non-hockey related professions to pursue if he didn't want to go to Tampa.
- Davewn

He did, but once he signed thinking everything would go well all other options are gone because NHL contracts are honored everywhere else in the world

From TSN

This could also play into the situation further. Definitely fits the argument that Tampa is trying to retain more control on Drouin's future
- WhiteLie

As they should be.

He was outplayed by other players...plain and simple
- uf1910

From the same TSN article:

Lightning coach Jon Cooper also took responsibility for the Drouin situation in his pre-game availability with the media. Drouin’s primary point production (goals and first assists) rank him among the elite players in his age group when adjusted for his limited time on ice. Drouin averaged 13 minutes per game last season.

Childish behavior? What are you talking about James? Get a (frank)ing clue man, it's called business/asset/risk management and it supersedes Drouin's feelings of entitlement.

Acting like he is 5? He is doing his (frank)ing job by looking out for the best interest of his club and setting a precedent to young players in the future that you can't hardball your way out of putting in hard work in the minors. But yes, we know you don't care about contracts, precedent or the law which probably explains why you have no (frank)ing clue what Yzerman is doing let alone what business management is about.
- RonPielep

Im suggesting that he does whats best for the Bolts and takes the best deal he can. I made a comment on Gillis in jest, but look at Luongo-Schneider situation, both trades weren't the return most were expecting. He held onto both goalies longer than he should have and it bit the Canucks
- WhiteLie

Very different scenarios.

Allowing the value of Drouin to diminish is peanuts in the bigger picture of trying to manage player development and effectively run an organization. By letting Drouin play hardball and force you into a corner you are undermining the integrity of your teams management and risking much more serious asset losses than Drouin's diminished value.

I don't know what about this is so difficult to understand. Seems like (frank)ing rocket science to James Tanner.
- RonPielep

I agree, its like opening pandoras box if you let him dictate. At the same time though he is a former #3 overall pick, those kind of players are highly coveted. I would want maximum return on a player with that much potential rather than diminish it to the equivalent of a Rychel

Well since character is the factor being discussed, wouldn't the fair comparison be between other players? You are comparing a rich owner who made his money outside of hockey to a player who could make lots of money playing hockey.

And since you are talking "character" of the owner, well there is this aspect which you failed to mention in your piece regarding the character Vinik has.

http://lightning.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=50496

http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=794353




So yes, by all means tell me more about the character Vinik possesses as it compares to a 20 year old hockey player who believes he is exempt from the maturation process that many of his teammates went through and as a result became better hockey players
- uf1910

Tanner is a socialist that believes capitalists are evil and incapable of doing community good. Glad you raised Vinik's charity work.

James: Your exploitation comments are still ridiculous since few teams outside of Canada and Northeast get any return on their investment in their teams. Your Arizona team is the best example of how owning a team destroys an owner's wealth.

Very different scenarios.
- RonPielep

Different yes, but I cant recall a time where waiting has ended up making a deal better. I think Walsh knows that too, history shows that trade demands hurt the team dealing, especially if they are public. Dany Heatley is another that comes to mind

From the same TSN article:
- WhiteLie

I get it and Cooper is correct that there have been times he was "punishing" Drouin for not doing what needed to be done. But the premise still exists that he was outplayed (and replaced) by other players which is why he isn't/wasn't with the Bolts. When Drouin was hurt Marchessault (who also is not waiver exempt and thus at risk to losing for nothing if sent to Cuse) played his way into the lineup. Namestnikov (also a 1st round pick), who before this year had played a similar role to what Drouin has, is now playing on the 1st line with Stamkos and Palat.

Somehow Drouin is supposed to be given a spot while other players weren't?

Childish behavior? What are you talking about James? Get a (frank)ing clue man, it's called business/asset/risk management and it supersedes Drouin's feelings of entitlement.

Acting like he is 5? He is doing his (frank)ing job by looking out for the best interest of his club and setting a precedent to young players in the future that you can't hardball your way out of putting in hard work in the minors. But yes, we know you don't care about contracts, precedent or the law which probably explains why you have no (frank)ing clue what Yzerman is doing let alone what business management is about.
- RonPielep

Maybe you don't agree - you don't seem very mature. But maybe now you understand why all your previous points were irrelevant? I do not care about the law, or contracts or whatever, in the context of this situation.

The entire article is about how its disgusting that fans shame a perfectly fine 20 year old kid without knowing all the details (even I didn't know they sent him down two games before he'd be a UFA one year ealier, which makes it worse) and then suggest that a grown man essentially say "I know you are, but what am I" and ruin his career.

It makes me think society is sick. And again, you couldn't have missed my point any further if you were doing it on purpose, which, come to think of it does explain why you can spell but are so obtuse.

Drouin is being an arrogant kid and it's not entirely his fault. He is a kid who is not seeing this clearly and is allowing his youthful arrogance and the people he's surrounded himself to lead him down a bad path.

Superstars in minor hockey and the CHL are treated like absolute Canadian Royalty. Drouin was the American equivalent of a US college football quarterback. Everybody kissing his ass and telling him how amazing he was could've easily formed his level of arrogance.(o and the puckbunnies...oh the sweet puckbunnies)

The fact is, he hasn't been able to earn a top 6 spot in the NHL. He really should just have a positive attitude in improving his game.

He is playing a dangerous game here. By refusing to play he diminishes his trade value further(many teams will lose interest now). This is designed to put pressure on TB to move him fast. But if TB couldn't already get the value they want in return then diminishing the players value makes it even less likely to get a trade done.

Right now Drouin is not worth a 3rd overall draft pick. Maybe a mid/late first and a random prospect. If his value drops much further than there would be absolutely no point in trading him.

I agree, its like opening pandoras box if you let him dictate. At the same time though he is a former #3 overall pick, those kind of players are highly coveted. I would want maximum return on a player with that much potential rather than diminish it to the equivalent of a Rychel
- WhiteLie

I'm saying you don't let Drouin allow you to accept a diminished return or allow him to undermine your integrity.

You win both ways by hard-balling him and saying get your (frank)ing ass on the ice and prove your worth or sit at home until 2022 and don't get paid.

Most likely scenario is Drouin will begin to play again and his value should increase if he is the player we think he is. At that point you can sell him to the highest bidder or wait if you think his value will increase more.

Worst case scenario Drouin decides to sit at home and pout for the next 6 years or whatever. You lose out on maybe a decent prospect that you could have gotten in return for Drouin now but at least you maintain the integrity of your clubs management. Ultimately in this case it is Drouin who suffers the most, and that should be obvious to him which is why I said the most likely scenario is that he begins playing again and eventually proves his worth.

Tanner is a socialist that believes capitalists are evil and incapable of doing community good. Glad you raised Vinik's charity work.

James: Your exploitation comments are still ridiculous since few teams outside of Canada and Northeast get any return on their investment in their teams. Your Arizona team is the best example of how owning a team destroys an owner's wealth.
- Leafsandbolts

Until people learn that not everything is representative of its most extreme iteration, it will continue to be very difficult to have nuanced discussions on the internet.