Sens might take a run at Bolts’ Drouin

The Senators are interested in Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jonathan Drouin, but only if the price is right.

TVA Sports reported Thursday that the Senators were the “front-runners” to obtain the 20-year-old forward, who was suspended by Tampa GM Steve Yzerman after he left the Lightning’s AHL affiliate in Syracuse last month and returned to his home near Montreal to wait for a trade.

Senators GM Bryan Murray has held talks with the Bolts about Drouin, but it’s believed the asking price is high and it hasn’t come down. At this time, Ottawa doesn’t have any interest in giving up either of its top prospects — Thomas Chabot or Colin White — as part of the deal, and that may be the asking price.

If that changes, then there’s a possibility trade talks could heat up.

The Senators aren’t the only team that has held talks with the Bolts about Drouin. It’s believed the St. Louis Blues, Minnesota Wild and Winnipeg Jets are among the teams that have also checked with Yzerman to see what it might take to get Drouin in return.

It’s believed Yzerman’s first request was for was a roster player, but when he wasn’t able to get that kind of return, he shifted his thoughts to seeing if he can get a top prospect or two. With the NHL trade deadline set for Feb. 29, Yzerman would like to get a deal done as quickly as possible.