what happened with Drouin?

Personally I like the Risto-Drouin trade but I am not sure the Sabres need a playmaking winger.Risto could fill in next year if Weber gets hurt or even retires this year (only if the Habs win the cup).

He's out for undisclosed personal reasons since the last two weeks of the regular season. Seems like he played his last game in a Habs jersey.

The back end is pretty much set and the one making the most sense would be PIT. Drouin plays in Crosby&Co's shadow so pressure's off his ass, Zucker gets a change of scenery and both team trade for equivalent contract so no cap issues. Jo has little to say if he gets traded (3 team NTC) and I think Zucker wouldn't block a trade to go to a Stanley's cup finalist/winner (TBD).

This is my favorite option. He could flourish on Eichel's left wing if he's not traded.

As much as the back end is "set", what killed us during the regular season is the lack of mobility on it. Chiarot is a darkhorse Seattle candidate and it wouldn't surprise me if Kulak is dealt somewhere.

What about trading him to Winnipeg, they need wingers now.

What, why?


I mean would I lock myself to Skjei for three years with the guys coming up? No. Others like Risto and Ghost are just bad at playing defense so I don't want that either cause it doesn't solve any issue and Butcher could be had for like a third round pick so I'm keeping Drouin.
Every day passing by tells me chances are increasing that Drouin's left unprotected and if he is we save 5.5M and Chiarot+Allen stays in town.

The one piece that'd make sense is Morrissey, and it'd create a big void on Winnipeg's defense core.

I don't think Montreal and Buffalo are good trade partners for an Eichel deal. Don't get me wrong he would be a great add but given the asking price, I feel like the Sabres would prefer that Eichel not remain in their division and Montreal would prefer not to give up 5 or 6 good pieces to a divisional rival. Also there are reports that the Sabres are not allowing teams to talk with Eichel making teams nervous about what the Sabres are trying to hide about his injury.

I'm not saying the Habs should target Eichel either? I said Drouin could flourish in Buffalo if he's traded for Ristolainen & Eichel is not dealt

Wheeler is done, he's a 3rd liner now, does Copp have the season he did under normal circumstances, I doubt it and who knows what his future is with the Jets anyway, for true top six wingers the Jets have Ehlers, Connor and that's it.

Perfetti is at least a year away and who knows if Vesalainen takes a step next season, they could use another winger imo.

LOL sorry I thought you meant Montreal should target Eichel

Boi I've been waiting for Vesa for years to show up, let's just admit he's a bust that's going to flourish elsewhere just like Armia and Roslo. Chevy should just stop drafting wingers, just trade for them it's safer.

That's horrible. Hope he's okay. How is this not a bigger story?

The team asked the medias to respect his privacy and the attention happens to be fully concentrated on the playoffs finals lol.

Cause he just vanished one day, I mean Toews isn't a huge story either as he just left and never reappeared.

I'm just surprised, this rarely happens in hockey and this started a couple weeks before the end of the season. I had no idea and I usually hear every hockey story at least on a surface level.

There was at least a reason for Toews, with him experiencing some sort of medical issue.

Drouin is probably related to him not being able to handle the big market's pressure

I got a feeling hes gonna end up in either LA or Edmonton

My first thought was mental health. Hope he gets through this and comes back a stronger person. Would be a shame if he stops playing.

I don't know what LA could be willing to offer that would suit our needs. Maybe Sean Walker for expansion reasons

Philly says add a 1st rd pick and Jesperi K.

no idea as of now I know they want 2 top 6 forwards and Drouin could work out nicely in a smaller market. Edmonton is my 2nd choice as Mcdavid needs support and lack of depth everywhere is visible.