Bolts Return Drouin

The Tampa Bay Lightning gave Jonathan Drouin a lot of looks in training camp over the last couple of weeks, but through that process, they have decided to exercise some patience with the smaller offensive forward, sending him back to Halifax of the QMJHL for another season of development, instead of rushing him into the NHL.

Drouin was the 3rd overall pick in this past Summer's entry draft and there was some belief that he was going to crack the Tampa Bay line-up for opening night and play all year, if not get his 9-game trial period, but the team has decided against both those options and give Drouin a little bit more time.

The loss of Drouin is pretty well for the whole season, unless the Mooseheads were to fall out of the playoff picture before the end of the season, but the reigning Memorial Cup champions are likely going to contend again, especially with Drouin in the line-up.  This hurts Doug pretty badly, who has already lost Sam Gagner to a broken jaw and Drouin does not qualify for the preseason waivers, because he wasn't injured.

There is a risk of taking kids who were taken that Summer, even if they are taken in the top 10 of the draft.  Now Doug will have to wait until the first waiver draft, eight weeks from now, before he has the chance to move Drouin.