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St. Louis Blues Trade Deadline Primer: Jonathan Drouin

By Steven McNeil

Dec 30, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Jonathan Drouin (27) skates with the puck as New York Rangers defenseman Keith Yandle (93) during the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Jonathan Drouin (27) skates with the puck as New York Rangers defenseman Keith Yandle (93) during the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The St. Louis Blues will be looking to improve their team, could they be interested in Tampa Bay’s disgruntled winger?

As we approach the NHL Trade Deadline on Monday, I believe we are on the precipice of a big move by the St. Louis Blues. That big move may include trading for the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Jonathan Drouin.

Many thought this move was going to happen a long time ago, but the deal never came about, and Drouin has been sitting on the sidelines ever since. Drouin is a former top five pick, as he was selected third overall by the Lightning in the 2013 NHL Draft. So the talent is clearly there for Drouin, which makes him such valuable commodity at this point.

The Drouin situation with the Tampa Bay Lightning is a mess, as our friends with Bolts by the Bay have informed us. Not only have things not gotten better but GM Steve Yzerman has come out and said that he plans to move Drouin by the deadline.

This is an interesting trade scenario, as not only are a number of teams interested, but it would seem as the price will be driven by the interested parties, and not by the Lightning. Yzerman knows he has to deal him as soon as possible, or the interest in Drouin is going to sour.

Drouin represents one of the only scenarios in which the Blues can actually take on a player and his contract, as he is still on his Entry Level Contract. So, what would it take to get a guy like Drouin?

With the market for forwards pretty dry right now, I think Drouin is going to command a pretty hefty price. However, it is a price that I believe the Blues could part with. With the Lightning on their way to another postseason, and coming off of being in the Stanley Cup Finals a year ago, the Lightning could use a veteran player that the Blues would be in the market to deal.

This past offseason, we saw the Blues make a deal trading off a member of the core in T.J. Oshie  for Troy Brouwer. The Blues could absolutely utilize Brouwer in a trade for Drouin, while Brouwer isn’t the greatest player for the Blues, we have seen players leave Hitch’s system and take off, so there is something to like there.

However, it is going to take much more for the Blues to make a trade here. It will likely cost them a prospect (Jordan Schmaltz) and a pick as well (1st or 2nd round), as the Lightning don’t want to just give away a top prospect here.

The other side of this deal — Drouin has a real problem here, as he is being painted in a negative light to other teams, media, and fans. Here we have a guy who has a lot of talent, and was simply asked to go down to the AHL to work things out, and he threw a tantrum because he wasn’t playing in the NHL.

I am not so sure I want this type of a guy in the locker room amongst a group of players who have trouble with confidence at times. I can’t wrap my head around the fact that this kid has been tasked to play the sport of Hockey at the highest level and yet he is complaining and choosing to sit at home on the couch instead of working to be better.

When Robby Fabbri was sent home after not making the team in the 2014 preseason, he reported to his Junior team and played out the season. When Dimitri Jaskin wasn’t getting the PT he deserved and was sent to Chicago, he didn’t throw a fit and go to play in the KHL. These players have instead taken it with stride and are making the most of it, trying to improve their game.

I can’t imagine the reaction the St. Louis Blues locker room would be great if a guy like Troy Brouwer, David Backes, or Kevin Shattenkirk were traded for a loafing, complaining, and spoiled kid like Jonathan Drouin. I get that it is the NHL and trades happen, but I don’t see this playing over well here. This team has enough issues, as it is.

Next: Five players the Blues can deal to keep Shattenkirk

All in all, it is going to be an interesting Trade Deadline, as the Blues look to improve upon their recent inability to perform in the playoffs. Keep it locked in here, as we continue to look at scenarios in which the Blues could become involved at the Trade Deadline.

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