By Allan Brown
When I think of the situation between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Jonathan Drouin, I can't help but think of that old 1970's song, 'Whose to Bless and Who's to Blame.'
Actually, the first song that comes to mind is 'How to Solve a Problem Like Maria,' with Drouin in place of Maria.
However, since those two words don't rhyme, I'll stick with the Kris Kristofferson song, instead.
Who's to bless and who's to blame for the mess that has become Drouin's stint in Tampa Bay?
The Lightning forward's agent, Allan Walsh, released a statement Sunday saying that they had requested a trade for Drouin from the Lightning in November.
Drouin, the third selection in the NHL draft in 2013, had been reassigned by Bolts General Manager Steve Yzerman Saturday to the Lightning's AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, following a disappointing and injury-plagued start to the 2014-15 season.
In 19 games with the Lightning this year, Drouin had two goals and six assists, numbers that are hardly the making of an All-Star.
Yet, in his defense, Drouin posted All-Star numbers as a member of the Halifax Mooseheads prior to his arrival in Tampa Bay at the start of last season.
In three seasons and 128 games with Halifax of the QMJHC, Drouin scored 77 goals and had 165 assists, certainly numbers that would indicate the Lightning did, indeed, have an All-Star in the making.
And Drouin was invited to last year's NHL All-Star game in Columbus where he won the fastest skater award in the Skills Competition.
Anyone who has watched any YouTube video of the forward would have to be impressed with his offensive skills and scoring prowess.
But his prior success didn't translate into immediate superstardom - or extensive playing time - in his first year in Tampa Bay. In 70 games last season, he scored four goals and had 28 assists and only appeared in six of the team's 26 playoff contests.
So who's to bless and who's to blame?
Perhaps in retrospect, the Lightning are partially to blame for drafting Drouin to a forward-heavy team to begin with. They certainly could have listened to their fan base and gone with popular defenseman
Seth Jones, who was drafted by the Nashville Predators in the pick that immediately followed Tampa Bay's selection.
In Walsh's statement that was first picked up by TSN's Bob McKenzie, Walsh basically stated that in light of yesterday's reassignment, it was time for the Lightning to now allow Drouin to be traded.
Rumors ran rampant at the end of last season of a rift between Drouin and Lightning Head Coach Jon Cooper. Those in the forward's camp believed that Drouin was being given limited playing time because he had never played for Cooper in Syracuse and that the coach favored those players who had been with him in the AHL.
Cooper's supporters believed - and I'd say rightfully so - that the forward hadn't shown anything special in the games he did play in to warrant more ice time.
Also, it should be noted that Drouin never seemed to click on any line he was put on in the past season?
Is he to blame for that?
Probably not.
In my opinion, Cooper should have left him on a single line - preferably the Steven Stamkos one - for an extended period of time. By doing that, Drouin could have gained invaluable playing experience and been mentored by one of the true All-Stars of the game.
In Cooper's defense, though, Drouin possibly felt a sense of entitlement to play a vital role with the team from the start due to his previous accomplishments.
If that is indeed true, then all I have to say is welcome, Mr. Drouin, to the NHL, where past success does not warrant entitlement and definitely does not guarantee future success.
I usually don't give much credence to mere heresay or rumors. However, Sunday's actions by Walsh, which Drouin had to be fully aware of, makes me believe that at least part of the speculation is true.
Even if it's not, the statement's release makes Drouin appear to be, if not a diva, than certainly an immature player and one not worthy of being on a Lightning squad that emphasizes a true team work ethic.
The truth likely lies somewhere in the middle, but whatever side you support, Walsh's decision to make known his trade intentions for his client actually render Drouin's spot - or opinion - untenable.
There is no way even a tenured player in the NHL - let alone a virtual rookie with disappointing numbers to boot - survives with a team when such statements are made public.
Whether it's Drouin or Walsh who is to blame for the release of the comments, neither come out of this situation looking good.
And Yzerman, who had stated Saturday, that the move was made simply to give him more playing time and that the forward would eventually return to Tampa, surely won't be giving Drouin a one-way ticket back to the Bay area anytime soon.
And rightfully so.
There are rules of etiquette and proper protocols to be followed in such situations and Drouin and his agent followed none of them.
Certainly what is best for all parties involved is a trade. However, if I were a team's general manager, I have to say I'd be just a tad bit apprehensive of signing a player who, unquestionably, has talent, but who has acted like an immature crybaby with his recent actions here in Tampa Bay.
Whoever is to bear the brunt of the blame for what has become a public relations disaster, should be, instead, blessed if a quick - and beneficial to all - resolution of the debacle is made.
The sooner, the better.
And if you could place all blame aside for this incident and the months leading up to today, it may actually be a blessing that it has come out now, as opposed to later on in Drouin's career in Tampa.
In fact, that may be the real blessing of this debacle that has certainly turned into a blame game no matter how you look at it.
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