Not surprising Drouin requested a trade. I know that especially around these parts it's hard to believe management is usually nothing less than perfectly rational entities that only strive to do the most logical thing, but the Lightning, particularly Cooper, have handled his development abysmally. From shifting him around from wing to centre constantly, to burying him on the forth line with minimal minutes instead of putting him in a position to succeed. Can't blame him for wanting out.
He'd be a great addition but I wouldn't give up what will likely be a top ten pick in June. Drouin is an amazing talent but not giving up a chance at Puljujarvi, Laine, Nylander, etc., for another sub six foot player. Would consider going as far as
One of Poirier/Hickey/Klimchuk/Wotherspoon/Granlund/Culkin/Kulak
+
One of Colborne/Russell
+
Mid round pick (2nd or a 3rd)
or Jankowski+Russell/Wotherspoon+2nd.
But I agree it'll be hard to make a deal without a first going back in some capacity.
1st (top 10 protected, I don't get how so many people think we will finish bottom ten) + D prospect + Backlund
Maybe because for all but a couple of days this season, the team has remained in the bottom ten. If the Flames don't make the playoffs, it's almost a guarantee they'll finish with a top ten pick.
With Stamkos, Filpulla, Boyle, Paquette, Johnson and other like Killorn and Namenstikov who can fill in for injuries I can't see the Lightning having much interest in Backlund
Backlund is somehow simultaneously the most underrated
and overrated player when it comes to trade proposals by Flames fans.
On the one hand, he's easily replaceable by 3 goals, 8 points in 38 games Matt Stajan or 3 goals, 4 points in 17 games Markus Granlund despite seeing heavily sheltered minutes with decent linemates in Bennett and Hudler.
On the other hand, Backlund is such a desirable commodity, he's going to be a key piece in returning top notch superstars like Stamkos or top prospects like Drouin.
Absolutely bizarre really.