The injury-riddled Tampa Bay Lightning have recalled Jonathan Drouin, the team announced Thursday, adding yet another wrinkle to a story that's had a few this season.
Drouin, the third overall pick in the 2013 NHL draft, asked for a trade in November -- a request that was made public by his agent in early January -- based on his unhappiness with how he was being used by coach Jon Cooper.
A subsequent demotion to AHL Syracuse was eventually followed by a suspension on Jan. 20, after he failed to show up for a game. When the Feb. 29 trade deadline came and went, Drouin himself phoned Lightning GM Steve Yzerman in early March and asked if he could return to AHL Syracuse to play out the season. Yzerman said yes.
Drouin has since played very well in Syracuse. His recall Thursday comes at a time when the team is without several top regulars such as Steven Stamkos, Ryan Callahan, Anton Stralman and Victor Hedman. The Lightning's power play is ranked only 26th in the NHL and could get a boost from Drouin.
Tampa Bay, which also recalled Matt Taormina on Thursday, has clinched a playoff spot but hopes to secure home-ice advantage in the opening round by finishing second in the Atlantic Division. The Lightning play at New Jersey on Thursday before wrapping up their regular season Saturday at Montreal.