First, I highly doubt the Blues were in on Johansen, because if they were offering up Shattenkirk, there's no way Columbus would've turned them down in favor of Jones. I don't think any team in the league would currently take Jones over Shattenkirk.

Second, while it's entirely possible the Blues are in on Stamkos or Drouin, or both, I think it's a bad idea. Chances are, Stamkos signs with Toronto as soon as he's free; and while Drouin has potential, I haven't seen anything that makes me believe he's a #1 center, much less the one the Blues are looking for.

I think Edmonton is a good dance partner regardless. If the Blues are offering up Shattenkirk, it aught to be for someone like Nuge. If they're offering up Pietrangelo, he better be part of a package for Draisaitl and Nurse.

First, I highly doubt the Blues were in on Johansen, because if they were offering up Shattenkirk, there's no way Columbus would've turned them down in favor of Jones. I don't think any team in the league would currently take Jones over Shattenkirk.

Second, while it's entirely possible the Blues are in on Stamkos or Drouin, or both, I think it's a bad idea. Chances are, Stamkos signs with Toronto as soon as he's free; and while Drouin has potential, I haven't seen anything that makes me believe he's a #1 center, much less the one the Blues are looking for.

I think Edmonton is a good dance partner regardless. If the Blues are offering up Shattenkirk, it aught to be for someone like Nuge. If they're offering up Pietrangelo, he better be part of a package for Draisaitl and Nurse.
- RobShouts

Why would they want someone from the "pretenders"...

Why would they want someone from the "pretenders"...
- Fruitcakenipple

Pretenders or not, Shattenkirk has a high hockey IQ and a proven talent on both sides of the puck.

First, I highly doubt the Blues were in on Johansen, because if they were offering up Shattenkirk, there's no way Columbus would've turned them down in favor of Jones. I don't think any team in the league would currently take Jones over Shattenkirk.

Second, while it's entirely possible the Blues are in on Stamkos or Drouin, or both, I think it's a bad idea. Chances are, Stamkos signs with Toronto as soon as he's free; and while Drouin has potential, I haven't seen anything that makes me believe he's a #1 center, much less the one the Blues are looking for.

I think Edmonton is a good dance partner regardless. If the Blues are offering up Shattenkirk, it aught to be for someone like Nuge. If they're offering up Pietrangelo, he better be part of a package for Draisaitl and Nurse.
- RobShouts

I'd take Jones over shatty

First, I highly doubt the Blues were in on Johansen, because if they were offering up Shattenkirk, there's no way Columbus would've turned them down in favor of Jones. I don't think any team in the league would currently take Jones over Shattenkirk.

Second, while it's entirely possible the Blues are in on Stamkos or Drouin, or both, I think it's a bad idea. Chances are, Stamkos signs with Toronto as soon as he's free; and while Drouin has potential, I haven't seen anything that makes me believe he's a #1 center, much less the one the Blues are looking for.

I think Edmonton is a good dance partner regardless. If the Blues are offering up Shattenkirk, it aught to be for someone like Nuge. If they're offering up Pietrangelo, he better be part of a package for Draisaitl and Nurse.
- RobShouts

Lots of reasons a team might want Jones more
he's big and he's black

hahaahaha
he's also young and his ceiling could be higher

I read that Brian Wilde of CTV confirmed the Habs actively pursuing Drouin and that the asking Price from Yzerman would include Tinordi and one of McCarron and Scherback.
- habfanforever

Pretty wide gap in value right now between Sherbak and McCarron, I doubt it will be McCarron.... I wouldn't do that deal

Hey, Ek, I guess you must have missed this one. Stamkos and Drouin to Detroit for Sheahan, Nyquist, Marchenko, Mantha, and two 1st rounders.

http://www.wingingitinmot...kos-and-drouin-to-detroit

I'd take Jones over shatty
- poopstash

Jones has 11 pts in 40 games. Shattenkirk has 25 pts in 32 games and is better defensively.

What's the reasoning behind vague rumors? Agreement with a source? Vague information from source? Figure it's a rumor site why are we kept in the dark so much. Thought that's what the E1 to E5 is for? Just wondering if EK is reporting info as he hears is or is withholding, and if so, why...

Jones has 11 pts in 40 games. Shattenkirk has 25 pts in 32 games and is better defensively.
- RobShouts

and is older..

and is older..
- Fruitcakenipple

Fair enough, but he still has plenty of great years left in him. Not sure why I'm arguing this, I'm not sure Johansen is the answer to the Blues' woes anyway.

Fair enough, but he still has plenty of great years left in him. Not sure why I'm arguing this, I'm not sure Johansen is the answer to the Blues' woes anyway.
- RobShouts

Thats a risky move on the Preds part imo......

Pretty wide gap in value right now between Sherbak and McCarron, I doubt it will be McCarron.... I wouldn't do that deal
- obie

Not to mention, if Yzerman was willing to take Tinordi and Scherbak for Drouin it'd be done already. Brian Wilde is a twit though, so no surprise.

Not to mention, if Yzerman was willing to take Tinordi and Scherbak for Drouin it'd be done already. Brian Wilde is a twit though, so no surprise.
- ehabs9

That's not what Wilde said. He said Habs are actively pursuing but there was no reference as to whom was offered. Fans speculation was those players. Another rumour qas Beaulieu and a prospect. All speculation

Not to mention, if Yzerman was willing to take Tinordi and Scherbak for Drouin it'd be done already. Brian Wilde is a twit though, so no surprise.
- ehabs9

It probably would be done... Tinordi has to go though, the guy is on an island right now, he's fallen to number 8 on the D chart when everyone is healthy but he can't be sent down or he will get claimed, I know he's not worth much right now but I don't see his value increasing in the near future, an asset wasting away, taking up a roster spot and cap space

Who cares if Drouin is being childish (he's actually being smart).

The CBA is designed to limit his options. The average age of an NHL player is 27.2 years. Why do you think UFA doesn't hit until 27? It holds down the salaries of young players while the majority of the people negotiating between the NHL and the players association is over the age of 27. That means the less young players get paid the more older players get paid. Drouin lacks any real leverage in a system that he has had zero input in creating and is basically a monopoly. At this point in his career if he gets hurt he hasn't made lifetime money, but a nice nest egg.

The average NHL career is 5-6 years.

Tampa has the leverage not to trade Drouin. He is also not a slave and has every right to be a cancer to the team or refuse to participate and become a non-performing asset to the team.

And if he would force a trade and get himself into a better system he could just start putting in full effort again and show his new team he's a good employer. If Tampa treats him as a slave then he should misbehave.

Honestly if I was a top 5 talent. I'd refuse to play for anyone but the Pittsburgh Penguins; its my home town team and the team I'd want to risks my body on. I'm actually surprise more high end rookies don't protest the system and force themselves to the team/situation they want to play for. If your Connor McDavid and told Edmonton you would never play for them (actually kind of a good idea with how they've developed talent) what could Edmonton do? They would have been forced to trade their draft pick.

Reinhart for stampkos and Hedman is what I am hearing

Who cares if Drouin is being childish (he's actually being smart).

The CBA is designed to limit his options. The average age of an NHL player is 27.2 years. Why do you think UFA doesn't hit until 27? It holds down the salaries of young players while the majority of the people negotiating between the NHL and the players association is over the age of 27. That means the less young players get paid the more older players get paid. Drouin lacks any real leverage in a system that he has had zero input in creating and is basically a monopoly. At this point in his career if he gets hurt he hasn't made lifetime money, but a nice nest egg.

The average NHL career is 5-6 years.

Tampa has the leverage not to trade Drouin. He is also not a slave and has every right to be a cancer to the team or refuse to participate and become a non-performing asset to the team.

And if he would force a trade and get himself into a better system he could just start putting in full effort again and show his new team he's a good employer. If Tampa treats him as a slave then he should misbehave.

Honestly if I was a top 5 talent. I'd refuse to play for anyone but the Pittsburgh Penguins; its my home town team and the team I'd want to risks my body on. I'm actually surprise more high end rookies don't protest the system and force themselves to the team/situation they want to play for. If your Connor McDavid and told Edmonton you would never play for them (actually kind of a good idea with how they've developed talent) what could Edmonton do? They would have been forced to trade their draft pick.
- sditulli

If I'm Edmonton I take McDavid regardless if he says he won't play for me in that scenario, call his bluff and let him sit out and not play in the NHL.

Who cares if Drouin is being childish (he's actually being smart).

The CBA is designed to limit his options. The average age of an NHL player is 27.2 years. Why do you think UFA doesn't hit until 27? It holds down the salaries of young players while the majority of the people negotiating between the NHL and the players association is over the age of 27. That means the less young players get paid the more older players get paid. Drouin lacks any real leverage in a system that he has had zero input in creating and is basically a monopoly. At this point in his career if he gets hurt he hasn't made lifetime money, but a nice nest egg.

The average NHL career is 5-6 years.

Tampa has the leverage not to trade Drouin. He is also not a slave and has every right to be a cancer to the team or refuse to participate and become a non-performing asset to the team.

And if he would force a trade and get himself into a better system he could just start putting in full effort again and show his new team he's a good employer. If Tampa treats him as a slave then he should misbehave.

Honestly if I was a top 5 talent. I'd refuse to play for anyone but the Pittsburgh Penguins; its my home town team and the team I'd want to risks my body on. I'm actually surprise more high end rookies don't protest the system and force themselves to the team/situation they want to play for. If your Connor McDavid and told Edmonton you would never play for them (actually kind of a good idea with how they've developed talent) what could Edmonton do? They would have been forced to trade their draft pick.
- sditulli

If you are a top 5 pick you still have work to do to prove yourself, something Drouin has yet to do. To be able to pay in the NHL and earn the big bucks is a blessing you should be grateful for.

Who cares if Drouin is being childish (he's actually being smart).

The CBA is designed to limit his options. The average age of an NHL player is 27.2 years. Why do you think UFA doesn't hit until 27? It holds down the salaries of young players while the majority of the people negotiating between the NHL and the players association is over the age of 27. That means the less young players get paid the more older players get paid. Drouin lacks any real leverage in a system that he has had zero input in creating and is basically a monopoly. At this point in his career if he gets hurt he hasn't made lifetime money, but a nice nest egg.

The average NHL career is 5-6 years.

Tampa has the leverage not to trade Drouin. He is also not a slave and has every right to be a cancer to the team or refuse to participate and become a non-performing asset to the team.

And if he would force a trade and get himself into a better system he could just start putting in full effort again and show his new team he's a good employer. If Tampa treats him as a slave then he should misbehave.

Honestly if I was a top 5 talent. I'd refuse to play for anyone but the Pittsburgh Penguins; its my home town team and the team I'd want to risks my body on. I'm actually surprise more high end rookies don't protest the system and force themselves to the team/situation they want to play for. If your Connor McDavid and told Edmonton you would never play for them (actually kind of a good idea with how they've developed talent) what could Edmonton do? They would have been forced to trade their draft pick.
- sditulli

It's a maze on what to do. If you're a young player that has potential you want to play at the highest level to reach your potential. At the same time, you are a chip that an organisation has & uses when it wants. If it doesn't want you to reach your goal early you won't & you have little option as you will be seen as a problem if you say anything.

It's a business, & if an organisation treats its players in a way that 'may' be counter productive to a young players development because that may just be the predicament the organisation finds itself in, then that player should also see the situation as a business & do what he can to better position himself for his future.

These teams with so many prospects being held back cannot play them all, so you would have to think players development is being interfered with. Trying to look after older players at the cost of younger ones seems counter productive. If Drouin is kept in the ahl this season, then others of his ability that are already playing in the NHL due to their organisations needing them, will get paid more when the time comes. You could say Tampa is costing (potentially), Drouin the chance to really cash in on his first big contract.

If you are a top 5 pick you still have work to do to prove yourself, something Drouin has yet to do. To be able to pay in the NHL and earn the big bucks is a blessing you should be grateful for.
- habfanforever

Put Drouin on another team that doesn't have the depth the Bolts have. Would he be playing in the NHL?

I would think any team trading for Drouin will play him straight away in the bigs - do you?

Tampa is 'delaying' his development because it suits them to do it - by looking at the situation from afar (I have no information other than that we all see). Is that fair on a young player that has played & I think proven he can play in the NHL.

Will he learn anything about playing in the NHL if he's playing in the ahl?

Ek you have to invest in spell-check, brutal!

Who cares if Drouin is being childish (he's actually being smart).

The CBA is designed to limit his options. The average age of an NHL player is 27.2 years. Why do you think UFA doesn't hit until 27? It holds down the salaries of young players while the majority of the people negotiating between the NHL and the players association is over the age of 27. That means the less young players get paid the more older players get paid. Drouin lacks any real leverage in a system that he has had zero input in creating and is basically a monopoly. At this point in his career if he gets hurt he hasn't made lifetime money, but a nice nest egg.

The average NHL career is 5-6 years.

Tampa has the leverage not to trade Drouin. He is also not a slave and has every right to be a cancer to the team or refuse to participate and become a non-performing asset to the team.

And if he would force a trade and get himself into a better system he could just start putting in full effort again and show his new team he's a good employer. If Tampa treats him as a slave then he should misbehave.

Honestly if I was a top 5 talent. I'd refuse to play for anyone but the Pittsburgh Penguins; its my home town team and the team I'd want to risks my body on. I'm actually surprise more high end rookies don't protest the system and force themselves to the team/situation they want to play for. If your Connor McDavid and told Edmonton you would never play for them (actually kind of a good idea with how they've developed talent) what could Edmonton do? They would have been forced to trade their draft pick.
- sditulli

Ask Eric Lindros how it all worked out for him....

[* The Rangers offered Yandle and a strong forward prospect i am told…I also heard Drouin and Stamkos as a package to NY…but i don't see how that deal happens unless NY is blowing it up…]

Since the rags are just swimming in cap space currently, nice job E69!!!

Eric Lindros is a decent example. No idea if he made the right decision but I would not have wanted to play in Quebec.

McDavid could go play in the KHL and make more money early in his career.

The early picks have value far above their entry level contract. If McDavid was a free agent at 18 he would get offers of 10 years $100 million. They can pretty much force a team to trade them. The first two to three years of the contract they would be making too much, but it would be the opposite of the contract Stamkos will sign where the production would be good in the beginning and poor later on.

Yes Drouin should treat it as a business decision. He needs to maximize his own value as early as possible. He's one goofy play away from having a career ending injury.