Whatever scenarios you're dreaming up, I think it can be pretty easily surmised that he's doing this because he's not a fan of being yo yo'd to the AHL/the way hes being used in the NHL.
I'm sure that is part of it yes, and no I'm not going to speculate on what other reasons may be involved. I am willing to admit I don't know the whole story.
I also know that hockey players work their whole adolescent lives for what basically amounts to one shot at making a good career out of their hard work, and I'm not going to crucify a kid for believing he is not being given an opportunity he deserves based on performance and potential. I'm not going to crucify him for wanting to try and get that opportunity elsewhere.
Perfect example on the Rangers right now, if Kevin Hayes after he was benched one game came out and threw a fit and asked to be traded because he wasn't getting the ice-time he deserved, I would be pissed. That's spoiled entitlement. Hayes has been crap most of this year and he's lucky he hasn't been benched more often.
On the other hand McIlrath has done as much as you can expect of a rookie to earn more ice-time, and instead he's been in a press box more than not. While it would be premature for him to ask to be traded, I would at least understand why. Guys playing like **** are being handed minutes based on tenure rather than ability and performance. What kind of message is that sending? On top of that the coach comes out and says Girardi has played better defense, which to anyone with two working eyes is a joke. It's not even close to true.
I can see why Drouin gets the benefit of the doubt.
Why shouldn't he? Again, without knowing the whole story why is it okay to call the kids character in to question and letting Tampa management off the hook completely? At least recognize there are two sides to this, and we only know part of one. Is he completely innocent? I doubt it, but the quick judgments people are willing to pass here are troubling.