TAMPA BAY, Fla. -- The agent for Tampa Bay forward Jonathan Drouin said Sunday that he made a trade request with the Lightning over a month ago.
Drouin, who was drafted with the third overall pick in 2013, has eight points in 19 games with Tampa Bay this season. He was assigned to AHL Syracuse on Saturday.
"On behalf of Jonathan Drouin, I formally requested a trade from the Tampa Bay Lightning back in November," agent Allan Walsh said in a statement. "We have not said one word about this untenable situation publicly until today. It's in everyone's best interests that Jonathan be allowed to move on and play hockey.
"Let's be clear, Jonathan loves playing for the fans in Tampa, he loves his teammates and many people within the Lightning organization have treated him well. It was his sincere intention to play in Tampa for many years."
Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman said in a statement on Sunday that the team acknowledges Walsh's request for Drouin to be trade.
"Moving forward, my sole intention is to act in the best interest of the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey club," Yzerman said. "In the meantime, Jonathan has been assigned to our American Hockey League affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, and we expect him to report for practice with the rest of his teammates this Tuesday morning."
On Saturday, Yzerman said Drouin was being sent to the minors to get more playing time.
Slowed by injuries, Drouin has just two goals this season. The 20-year-old native of Ste-Agathe, Que., had 32 points (four goals, 28 assists) in 70 games last season.
The year before, he had 108 points (29-79) in his final season with the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
The defending Eastern Conference champions open a road trip against the Flames on Tuesday.
-- With files from The Associated Press
