Lightning call up Drouin, could have significant impact on trade value.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have made the decision to call up forward Jonathan Drouin, despite the fractured relationship between the player and the team, and there's a lot involved in this decision.

First and foremost on the mind of the average National Hockey League fan will be how this is will impact the likelihood of him being traded, or how it will impact his trade value. For the first question we will likely need to wait and see, but for the second question we already have some indication of how it could impact the trade market.

For many teams involved in the Drouin trade demands earlier this season, one of the most attractive aspects of acquiring the young forward is how much long-term control the team would have over what is projected to be a top 6 forward. With Drouin buried in the American Hockey League, he would not see unrestricted free agency until 2022, but with the call up, if Drouin plays in the Lightning's final two games he will get an accrued season, and will be a UFA in 2021 instead. While it may seem like a minor difference, for any budget concious teams who were in on Drouin it will be a significant factor.

There is of course also the matter of how well he plays, all eyes will be on Jonathan Drouin for the final games of the regular season, as well as the playoffs, and with captain Steven Stamkos potentially done for the season, the Lightning will need him to produce in order to compete in the postseason. If Drouin is capable of stepping up in a big way, especially in the playoffs, it will almost certainly increase his trade value.

As for whether or not Drouin is still demanding to be traded? According to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times Drouin was asked and refused to comment on the situation, we have to assume the trade demand is still in fact on the table.

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