Rumor: Team may trade highly talented forward instead of giving him big extension.

The saga of Jonathan Drouin in Tampa Bay may be far from over.

After initially demanding a trade from the team Drouin has turned things around in drastic fashion, become one of the Lightning's most consistent performers over the past season, but that may not be enough to earn him a big new contract from the team.

In a recent article published for the Tampa Bay Times, Lightning insider Joe Smith touched on the possibility that the Lightning may look to deal Drouin this summer rather than extending him. In fact they may have tried to trade him already.

From Smith:

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The 2013 No. 3 overall draft pick is coming off a breakout 21-goal season. It would be very difficult to replace Drouin's playmaking skill set. Still, I wouldn't be stunned if the Lightning shops Drouin leading up to the amateur draft. It was rumored that Drouin was part of the package in the Lightning's January offer to the Blues for D Kevin Shattenkirk, who nixed the trade. And teams were kicking the tires on Drouin at this season's trade deadline (St. Louis, Nashville).

Obviously a trade involving a player of this magnitude would be a huge deal if it does in fact take place in the offseason.