Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Click to share on Flipboard (Opens in new window)

Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)

Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Jonathan Drouin‘s agent Allan Walsh basically threw down the trade demand gauntlet on the Tampa Bay Lightning today.

It appears that Drouin’s latest demotion to the AHL is merely the last straw for the third overall pick of 2013 NHL Draft, as his stop-and-go development continues to be bumpy this season.

Walsh released a statement in which he revealed that a trade request was made to the Lightning in November, but it was kept private until this became an “untenable situation.”

A statement from Jonathan Drouin's agent Allan Walsh regarding his client's future in TB: pic.twitter.com/Vhwet1IpTW — Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 3, 2016

This tweet from the Tampa Bay Tribune’s Erik Erlendsson seemed to provide some foreshadowing:

Yzerman says decision to send Drouin to Syracuse based solely on getting him ice time after all the time he's missed due to injury — Erik Erlendsson (@erlendssonTBO) January 2, 2016

… And apparently the Lightning explaining the demotion as a matter of getting ice time after an injury did little to sway Drouin.

Yzerman says decision to send Drouin to Syracuse based solely on getting him ice time after all the time he's missed due to injury — Erik Erlendsson (@erlendssonTBO) January 2, 2016

So, pessimistic Lightning fans may worry that the Lightning may lose a top overall pick (Steven Stamkos, via free agency) and another high-end prospect (Drouin, via trade) in what’s becoming an incredibly messy follow-up to a promising 2015 Stanley Cup Final run.

It’s tough not to wonder if some will at least partially blame Jon Cooper for his relationship with a couple of stars, considering his harsh criticisms of Drouin’s defensive work.

Never felt that the marriage between the #lightning and Jonathan Drouin was working. Time for a divorce. — Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) January 3, 2016

Found it weird how Jon Cooper totally deferred to Steve Yzerman yesterday when asked about Drouin. Less weird now: https://t.co/gaWicjxuDv — Аrpon Basu (@ArponBasu) January 3, 2016

As far as the more immediate future goes:

Per @syrhockey, Drouin will not play for @SyracuseCrunch today in Toronto, scheduled to join team Tuesday in Syracuse #tblightning — Joe Smith (@TBTimes_JSmith) January 3, 2016

TB GM Steve Yzerman is likely to address the Walsh statement/Drouin trade request later today. He's on a flight this afternoon. — Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 3, 2016

Even if the Lightning were open with trading a promising (if struggling?) prospect, this becoming public knowledge doesn’t exactly put GM Steve Yzerman in a position of strength.

/starts popping popcorn