For many, the idea of Martin St. Louis requesting a trade is pure lunacy. When Boomer Esaison suggested a St. Louis-Ryan Callahan swap was in the works, he was met with venom from Bolts fans. But as it turns out, he may have been right.
And now this. The latest from the ever churning rumor mill.
According to Islanders beat reporter Arthur Staple of Newsday:
Not necessarily Islanders-related, but I’ve now heard from three different NHL people that Martin St. Louis did indeed request a trade last month. He has a full no-move clause, so he could pick his destination. That would seem to be the Rangers. St. Louis has an offseason home in Greenwich, Conn.
Have to see how that plays out and whether St. Louis ultimately getting to go to Sochi and win a gold medal has changed his feelings. But if this all stemmed from Steve Yzerman passing St. Louis over for the initial Team Canada roster, that may trump John Tavares‘ season-ending injury as exhibit A for owners and GMs never wanting the NHL in the Olympics again.
St. Louis had the opportunity to end the speculation on Wednesday and his answer added gasoline to the already smoldering fire. Beat writer Erik Erlendsson tells us via his Twitter page:
St Louis addresses trade rumors with brief answer “I’ve had conversations with Steve about my future with the team and I’ll leave it at that.”
Erlendsson elaborated in an article Wednesday afternoon:
When pressed further St. Louis declined to elaborate whether he has asked for a trade or of he wants to remain with the team.
St. Louis lack of a vehement denial may speak volumes.
The thought of St. Louis requesting a trade based on his original Olympic snub seems ridiculous but in fact may br the truth. After all, he was told twice by his GM that he wasn’t good enough for Team Canada. Hard feelings yes, but a trade request from the heart and soul of the franchise?
Where are you Marty? Social media is blowing up over this. Where’s your denial?
Update 8:15 PM: According to multiple reports from TSN analysts Darren Dreger and Bob McKenzie, Martin St. Louis will only accept a move that would send him to the New York Rangers.
“If Steve Yzerman or Marty St. Louis want to correct me on this by all means,” Bob McKenzie said on TSN Radio 1050 Wednesday afternoon. “My clear understanding is that St. Louis asked for a trade, it sounds as if that trade request is still very much in effect, and he asked for a trade to only one team: the New York Rangers.”
TSN’s Darren Dreger agreed with McKenzie and tweeted this:
Teams may continue to call TBay on St Louis, but, as of now, Lightning are telling teams St Louis is locked on the New York Rangers.
The Lightning look to be in a bind as they can trade St. Louis to the Rangers for a less than exciting return or keep the displeased face of the franchise and hope that this debacle doesn’t hurt team chemistry.
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