Tampa Bay Lightning Roster Rumors: Jonathan Drouin Suspended for Failing to Report
For a professional sports team coach to be confronted by his player and told he won't be playing their next game for no apparent reason is very rare and unprofessional in all intents and purposes, and that is what Syracuse Crunch head coach Rob Zettler just experienced with Jonathan Drouin.
Zettler told reporters that although he does not have any issues with the young Canadian left winger he still was quite surprised (and probably pissed) when he informed him that he's not planning to attend the team's matchup against the Toronto Marlies last Wednesday. Drouin talked to the Tampa Bay Lightning AHL affiliate's head coach in the morning skate at the Ricoh Coliseum. "He made a decision not to play so we'll move forward and let the powers that be in Tampa handle it from here," Zettler said.
As a response to Drouin's antics in the AHL, his mother team, the Lightning, issued a statement immediately thereafter, saying that the 20-year-old has been given an indefinite suspension without pay by the team, the reason being that he failed to report.
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Tampa Bay's relationship with their third overall selection in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft has not been good as of late. The player and his agent kicked off the New Year by making a public announcement of a request of a trade they made last November.
And as a reply to the suspension and in some way trying to defend the actions of his client, Allan Walsh (Drouin's agent) released a statement stating that the Lightning actually advised them that a trade was in the works and is nearing completion. He added that they made a proposal wherein Drouin be allowed not to play in the next AHL games, in order to avoid risking injuries since there is an imminent trade. However, he alleged that Tampa Bay refused the request and his client was simply not willing to take the risk.
It is unclear up to this point, though, if the Lightning indeed has a trade in the works for the embattled Drouin. But quite interestingly, several team scouts were seen at the Ricoh Coliseum, probably hoping to see Drouin play, including those from the Canadiens, Canucks, Jets, and Senators.
