Bill Meltzer: Musings: Drouin Trade Rumor Doesn't Add Up, Quick Hits

Good write up Bill. Glad to read Lababera is still playing. If an athlete loves the game and someone is willing to pay for your services, keep playing.

I enjoy reading what you write, but it does make me a little sad to know you felt the need to write how simple minded this rumor is

An Ek rumour actually turning into reality? Better chance of seeing a Unicorn or The Loch Ness Monster.
To be honest I would rather have TK over Drouin. A much harder working player with time to grow those offensive skills .

In a weird google search rabbit hole I found this image...

I enjoy reading what you write, but it does make me a little sad to know you felt the need to write how simple minded this rumor is
- YuenglingJagr

When you get inundated with questions about the likelihood of fruition of a trade rumor both on social media and even at a family event this past weekend, it's time to put out something about it so you don't have to keep answering it.

When you get inundated with questions about the likelihood of fruition of a trade rumor both on social media and even at a family event this past weekend, it's time to put out something about it so you don't have to keep answering it.
- bmeltzer

Haha I understand!

An Ek rumour actually turning into reality? Better chance of seeing a Unicorn or The Loch Ness Monster.
To be honest I would rather have TK over Drouin. A much harder working player with time to grow those offensive skills .
- 3flyerkids

Agreed, and while TK's offensive skills are a half-notch down from Drouin's, he's still in the same ballpark but with more moxie and resilience.

Drouin has the potential to be a teams top forward. I see why teams including the Flyers would be interested. I agree with the comparison to Konecny but don't understand the reasoning of why both on the same team wouldn't fit? maybe not on the same line but the same team shouldn't and wouldn't be a problem. If the Flyers were to go after him, they would have to pay a ransom haul for sure. If they are to make such a trade I will be waiting for the other shoe to drop because as you suggested there are more young forwards developing and on the horizon.
As far as giving up a young D out of their current stable of prospects I would argue that T Bay is taking the greater chance.....what happens if the prospect or prospects they trade for doesn't reach his or their potential ? Not advocating any deal, but understand why the Flyers have interest. (rumored interest) and most of those happen.

Drouin has the potential to be a teams top forward. I see why teams including the Flyers would be interested. I agree with the comparison to Konecny but don't understand the reasoning of why both on the same team wouldn't fit? maybe not on the same line but the same team shouldn't and wouldn't be a problem. If the Flyers were to go after him, they would have to pay a ransom haul for sure. If they are to make such a trade I will be waiting for the other shoe to drop because as you suggested there are more young forwards developing and on the horizon.
As far as giving up a young D out of their current stable of prospects I would argue that T Bay is taking the greater chance.....what happens if the prospect or prospects they trade for doesn't reach his or their potential ? Not advocating any deal, but understand why the Flyers have interest.
- landros 2

Pat Falloon also had potential to be a team's top forward. So did Alex Daigle. They had their 20-goal, 50+ point years (Daigle had two of them and Falloon had three) so they weren't the total busts that they sometimes get painted as, although they both fell way short of expectations. The real issue was that neither had the right mindset to play the right way and both were content to be one-dimensional players. Drouin's early steps in the NHL have been closer to their paths although he's corrected it a bit over the past year. Still not someone I'd make a blockbuster deal to obtain.

The point to have them in the same lineup was it's tough to have under sized defensive liabilities up and down your lineup. That's the way I took it. And I'd have to agree we already have a tough time not getting scored on.

Drouin has the potential to be a teams top forward. I see why teams including the Flyers would be interested. I agree with the comparison to Konecny but don't understand the reasoning of why both on the same team wouldn't fit? maybe not on the same line but the same team shouldn't and wouldn't be a problem. If the Flyers were to go after him, they would have to pay a ransom haul for sure. If they are to make such a trade I will be waiting for the other shoe to drop because as you suggested there are more young forwards developing and on the horizon.
As far as giving up a young D out of their current stable of prospects I would argue that T Bay is taking the greater chance.....what happens if the prospect or prospects they trade for doesn't reach his or their potential ? Not advocating any deal, but understand why the Flyers have interest. (rumored interest) and most of those happen.
- landros 2

The Flyers would have to first part with a large amount of young prospects/picks, and would then have to pay him what he (and his agent) want. Not worth it. If the cost was a second-round pick, then sure. But I wouldn't give up on a package of top prospects and high picks, only for them to enter into a long-term negotiation with one of the most ruthless agents in hockey.

Drouin has the potential to be a teams top forward. I see why teams including the Flyers would be interested. I agree with the comparison to Konecny but don't understand the reasoning of why both on the same team wouldn't fit? maybe not on the same line but the same team shouldn't and wouldn't be a problem. If the Flyers were to go after him, they would have to pay a ransom haul for sure. If they are to make such a trade I will be waiting for the other shoe to drop because as you suggested there are more young forwards developing and on the horizon.
As far as giving up a young D out of their current stable of prospects I would argue that T Bay is taking the greater chance.....what happens if the prospect or prospects they trade for doesn't reach his or their potential ? Not advocating any deal, but understand why the Flyers have interest. (rumored interest) and most of those happen.
- landros 2

The risk on TB's end is why the rumor makes no sense for the Flyers. The blog wasn't about whether Drouin will be traded, just that there is a very good chance it wont be to the Flyers. There are other teams with more proven players that could make a trade

Drouin has the potential to be a teams top forward. I see why teams including the Flyers would be interested. I agree with the comparison to Konecny but don't understand the reasoning of why both on the same team wouldn't fit? maybe not on the same line but the same team shouldn't and wouldn't be a problem. If the Flyers were to go after him, they would have to pay a ransom haul for sure. If they are to make such a trade I will be waiting for the other shoe to drop because as you suggested there are more young forwards developing and on the horizon.
As far as giving up a young D out of their current stable of prospects I would argue that T Bay is taking the greater chance.....what happens if the prospect or prospects they trade for doesn't reach his or their potential ? Not advocating any deal, but understand why the Flyers have interest. (rumored interest) and most of those happen.
- landros 2

I would much rather follow the Nashville path if we were to trade a defenseman it's after we know what type of nhl commodity they will be. We can take more calculated risks that way. Trade the wrong prospect and you might trade the future #1. Also a potential top line one dimensional scorer doesn't equate to a potential top 2 defenseman. Seth Jones got a #1 Center. Adam larrson got a top line winger who plays some defense. Blockbuster trade one our prospects for drouin?

No.
No.
No.
No.
No.

Pat Falloon also had potential to be a team's top forward. So did Alex Daigle. They had their 20-goal, 50+ point years (Daigle had two of them and Falloon had three) so they weren't the total busts that they sometimes get painted as, although they both fell way short of expectations. The real issue was that neither had the right mindset to play the right way and both were content to be one-dimensional players. Drouin's early steps in the NHL have been closer to their paths although he's corrected it a bit over the past year. Still not someone I'd make a blockbuster deal to obtain.
- bmeltzer

Can't say I disagree....but looking at the two names you mentioned...The Flyers took a chance on both!!
But the argument with regards to "attitude" or mindset would give me pause....is he fools gold? time will tell.

The Flyers would have to first part with a large amount of young prospects/picks, and would then have to pay him what he (and his agent) want. Not worth it. If the cost was a second-round pick, then sure. But I wouldn't give up on a package of top prospects and high picks, only for them to enter into a long-term negotiation with one of the most ruthless agents in hockey.
- jmatchett383

all good points. If T bay does move him, the team acquiring him has some hurdles for sure. I'm just saying I know why teams would have interest.

I would much rather follow the Nashville path if we were to trade a defenseman it's after we know what type of nhl commodity they will be. We can take more calculated risks that way. Trade the wrong prospect and you might trade the future #1. Also a potential top line one dimensional scorer doesn't equate to a potential top 2 defenseman. Seth Jones got a #1 Center. Adam larrson got a top line winger who plays some defense. Blockbuster trade one our prospects for drouin?

No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
- Tfaehner

Using the larrson trade as a benchmark is probably ill advised, cause lets be honest that trade was insane. Seth Jones was the same draft as Drouin and selected one pick after drouin and he commanded Ryan Jo. Im not saying drouin has earned that caliber trade yet but he is definitely trending that direction, where as these "prospects" havent started there NHL careers yet.

I would much rather follow the Nashville path if we were to trade a defenseman it's after we know what type of nhl commodity they will be. We can take more calculated risks that way. Trade the wrong prospect and you might trade the future #1. Also a potential top line one dimensional scorer doesn't equate to a potential top 2 defenseman. Seth Jones got a #1 Center. Adam larrson got a top line winger who plays some defense. Blockbuster trade one our prospects for drouin?

No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
- Tfaehner

The reason the Flyers are probably in the "rumor" is they have the assets that Tbay would want....that might be where the smoke is coming from. I guess it really depends on what Hextall thinks of the player. oh and What Yzerman would think of the assets coming back.
at this point I don't think Hextall would move that much to acquire him. But I understand why some teams would have interest.

Using the larrson trade as a benchmark is probably ill advised, cause lets be honest that trade was insane. Seth Jones was the same draft as Drouin and selected one pick after drouin and he commanded Ryan Jo. Im not saying drouin has earned that caliber trade yet but he is definitely trending that direction, where as these "prospects" havent started there NHL careers yet.
- headyhedman77

correct....the other side of the argument....Tbays perspective.

http://www.thehockeynews....de-for-ovechkin-right-now

The trade proposals in this article though....

http://www.thehockeynews.com/news/article/how-many-teams-could-actually-trade-for-ovechkin-right-now

The trade proposals in this article though....
- Tfaehner

That contract with G's and Vorecek's going forward suggests to me no way in hell.....But I didn't mind the trade offer. With no salary cap? where do I sign up.

Using the larrson trade as a benchmark is probably ill advised, cause lets be honest that trade was insane. Seth Jones was the same draft as Drouin and selected one pick after drouin and he commanded Ryan Jo. Im not saying drouin has earned that caliber trade yet but he is definitely trending that direction, where as these "prospects" havent started there NHL careers yet.
- headyhedman77

I agree to some extent. I called out the fact that I wouldn't trade our prospects for the reason of you don't know who will pan out to be a real top 2 and a fringe player. The larrson trade shows how much leverage a team with good young defense has in a normal maket. But thanks to the expansion it's actually a good buyers market for young defenseman. Team's need to get rid of one or be lost to Vegas. I don't see why the flyers prospects unless you think they are guaranteed to be a future top 2 would be more alluring than Minnesota or Anaheim d men. And if you do believe whole heartedly that's what said prospect would become why would we trade them ?

That contract with G's and Vorecek's going forward suggests to me no way in hell.....But I didn't mind the trade offer. With no salary cap? where do I sign up.
- landros 2

No way in hell. Why would Washington accept that offer ? Unless people really see ovechkin as a dump for salary. Than they take 2 of Carolina top prospects after offering our mediocre ones. The up and down of the article in offers is ridiculous.

The reason the Flyers are probably in the "rumor" is they have the assets that Tbay would want....that might be where the smoke is coming from. I guess it really depends on what Hextall thinks of the player. oh and What Yzerman would think of the assets coming back.
at this point I don't think Hextall would move that much to acquire him. But I understand why some teams would have interest.
- landros 2

I my opinion especially on this site, these rumors are generated when someone gets wind of a conversation taking place. I have no doubts that Hextall has "kicked the tires" on Drouin. I think preliminary and really superficial conversations are quite different from deep interest and actually negotiating a trade for a player. Yet it gets reported that the Flyers have interest. I think anytime a good player is rumored to be available GM's make a call to see what's going on.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/news/article/how-many-teams-could-actually-trade-for-ovechkin-right-now

The trade proposals in this article though....
- Tfaehner

Seriously!