Could Rangers make a move for disgruntled Lightning Prospect?
According to multiple sources to the NY Post (Larry Brooks) the New York Rangers “are in big time” on Jonathan Drouin. Drouin, the former 3rd overall pick in 2013, requested a trade earlier in the year before publicly requesting a trade this week.
Apparently, Rangers General Manager Jeff Gorton and Tampa Bay Lightning General Manager Steve Yzerman talked before the trade request went public:
"The Post has learned Blueshirts’ GM Jeff Gorton and Yzerman first talked about Drouin when the Rangers were in Tampa for last Wednesday’s 5-2 victory over the Lightning. That conversation preceded the public demand from the Drouin camp."
There would seem virtually no scenario under which the Rangers will be able to sign Yandle –€” who should be able to command at least six years for between $5.5 million and $6 million per season€” prior — to this year’s Feb. 29 deadline
Brooks goes on to speculate:
"The Blueshirts could have a match for the Lightning in rental property Keith Yandle, the offense-inclined defenseman whose presumed availability is not based on his performance or value to this year’s team, but on the likelihood that he will hit the unrestricted free agent market on July 1.There would seem virtually no scenario under which the Rangers will be able to sign Yandle –€” who should be able to command at least six years for between $5.5 million and $6 million per season€” prior — to this year’s Feb. 29 deadline."
It’s not far-fetched that the Rangers keep Yandle — even if they have to make a buyout to do it — and they should do everything in their power to bring him back into the fold. But if Yandle can include him in a package to land the ultra-talented Drouin, it might be worth the risk. Brooks goes on to say the Rangers might need to add a first round pick, which seems a little like it would just be throwing in said pick without actually negotiating.
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Yandle also holds more value to Tampa Bay than one might think. His contract is extremely favorable (remember, Arizona pays for 50% of his cap hit through the rest of the year), which means the Lightning could add a viable defensive piece to an on-paper Stanley Cup-caliber team. The Rangers, if they’re smart, will recognize the value in that trade piece and milk it for all it’s worth.
Of course, adding a guy like Drouin — who, for all intents and purposes, is about as far away from a proven commodity as it gets — does nothing to address the issues the team has now. They’re still a mess defensively, they still have problems in net (at least short-term) and Drouin would still have to actually make the roster. Still, adding a prospect of this caliber is intriguing.
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For now, it’s all rumor and speculation, but it doesn’t seem terribly far-fetched to think that Drouin could be in the red, white and blue before it’s all said and done.