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Laugh about it later? Lightning players react to Drouin’s trade request

Jonathan Drouin

Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Jonathan Drouin waits for play to resume in the first period of a preseason NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2013, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

AP

Sure, Jonathan Drouin’s agent made a public plea for a trade, but who’s to stay the Tampa Bay Lightning will fulfill it?

Maybe more interestingly, how will he interact with the organization, particularly whenever Drouin gets recalled from an AHL stint he’s planning on honoring?

The Tampa Bay Times’ Joe Smith compiled some interesting quotes from members of the team, with the message being: it should blow over ... if he doesn’t get traded.

“I fully expect him to be back up here later playing well and we’ll probably laugh about this (trade request) later,” Ben Bishop said.

The other message? He needs to earn his minutes.

Former Bolts forward Brett Connolly carries the interesting perspective of moving on as a Lightning first-round pick, as he discusses with WEEI’s DJ Bean.

We’ve seen examples of players’ trade requests going public and life moving on, including this season with Patrick Marleau and Travis Hamonic.

Maybe it’s a little awkward, but that’s part of “the business,” isn’t it?