Why would the Sabres do that at all? What is the point? I don't get it. I would much rather have Reinhart, coupled with the fact the Sabres aren't trying to collect draft picks anymore. They're looking for players not projects. Reinhart is already contributing to the NHL club.

I don't think they would given their current situation. My point was to gauge what a fair deal for Drouin might be. But given the circus around the trade request, it's hard to get a good sense for his true value. But Reinhart is a very similar prospect.

Point being though, it's probably going to take a similar quality prospect, or legitimate, established NHL players to get Drouin.

What would you be willing to take for Reinhart?

Nothing, I would say untouchable. I would rather they developed him, unless he is part of a dream package. I would say Reinhart is only similar to Drouin in pedigree. Reinhart was groomed better and has a better attitude for the game. Does Drouin have more skill? Probably, but they're different style players. Reinhart is projected to be a Toews like player. Drouin is projected to be a Patrick Kane like player. Both great players, but different roles. Drouin has a Cody Hodgson attitude with more skill, which means Tampa is going to get less than what they want for him. So they may elect to not trade him. Reinhart would command a lot more in return, as he is producing well at the NHL level and the Sabres are phasing themselves out of a rebuild period, and aren't looking to trade NHL level prospects for more projects, especially at right wing as they already have 2 that are in the pipeline making their way to the AHL, that have similar projections to Kapanen. A fair deal for Drouin or Reinhart would be an NHL ready top 6 prospect and a pick. But factoring both teams situations, Tampa probably won't get close to that, and the Sabres would probably nix any deal. So to answer your question I would say too little. Even with all the factors stripped away, just looking at the player, you'd have to offer more.

Drouin has put himself and Tampa in a bad situation. Teams probably won't offer to what his potential talent is. Others don't want the problem of a demanding 20 year old and all the initial drama so they may not even make an offer. The Tampa club doesn't want this situation, hell there trying to make the playoffs. Don't see the issue resolved till the summer at least. So Drouin plays in Syracuse all season, and without the right attitude...is sent home.
The trade...don't think Reinhart is a fit for the Leafs.....not saying the trade is unfair. The Leafs have smallish centres in Kadri, Bozak, Nylander, don't need another. Kapanen is still of junior age but he better toughen up, he seems to be a perimeter player which isn't the NHL style.

I just think it's crazy to label a 20 year old kid with "character issues" from one incident. And in reality, if anyone of us was a potentially elite NHL player and our multi-million dollar career was being mis-managed, we'd be pissed too. The truth is, staying in Tampa is clearly bad for his career when there are other teams that will give him far more opportunity.

But either way, the number of players with character issues who are lighting up the league right now defeats any argument about staying away (see Tyler Seguin, Patrick Kane, etc).