After an emotionally charged offseason of trade speculation and fan criticism, the New York Rangers are trying to mend fences with captain Jacob Trouba. There has been talk of a possible trade involving the Red Wings of Detroit, but it looks like Trouba will be staying with the Rangers for the time being. There was never any real thought of a trade, according to Arthur Staple of The Athletic, and Trouba had previously eliminated Detroit from consideration by adding them to his 10-team no-trade list.
Rangers of New York The trade drama involving Jacob Trouba
The Rangers’ general manager, Chris Drury, allegedly tried to make amends with Trouba and reassure him of the team’s dedication to him in the past few weeks. This move shows that the Rangers have realized their mistake and are committed to restoring team unity and morale. Many were worried that Trouba’s capacity to be a good captain would be compromised by the constant barrage of offseason chatter.
The Rangers certainly considered trading Trouba. Everyone thinks they did. Despite their best efforts, it is becoming more apparent that he is unwilling to leave, will not make a trade involving him easy, and the Rangers do not have enough defensemen to replace him in the event that they are successful. It is unclear what Trouba will do after next year after a dismal season. His contract, along with his performance difficulties, makes him difficult to deal, as he has a $8 million cap hit through 2025-26.
The Rangers Must Figure Out How to Make the Most of Trouba
If Trouba is kept by the Rangers, he won’t have to do as much work in the upcoming season. His physical style and leadership continue to be significant components of his deal, but he has not been successful on the ice and will probably see a reduction in his over 21 minutes per game. With the current season drawing to a close, the Rangers may be more receptive to bringing Trouba into the conversation over a potential trade. Key players like Alexis Lafrenière, K’Andre Miller, and Igor Shesterkin have imminent RFA and UFA contracts that might put cap space under strain, potentially leading to a move in the 2025 offseason.
For the time being, the Rangers will not be making any major moves as they work to mend their relationship with Trouba. Instead, they will concentrate on keeping the peace within the club and getting ready for the next season.
