The New York Rangers have been dealing with a dramatic situation surrounding team captain defenseman Jacob Trouba this offseason. The Rangers reportedly attempted to trade away Trouba at the start of free agency, however, the 30-year-old defenseman declined the move.
Controversy has surrounded the situation as the drama has reportedly created a “messy” environment inside the Blueshirts’ locker room. While a trade seems unlikely to get done this offseason, Trouba could still be on the move in the near future.
The Rangers might plan to trade Jacob Trouba next offseason instead
According to Arthur Staple of The Athletic, the Rangers will likely hold off on a Trouba trade until next offseason:
“Now, if you want to talk next summer, then I’d say the chances of a Trouba trade go up from ‘nearly zero’ to ‘nearly certain,’ Staple reported. “Both sides, the team and the captain, understand what’s coming after the 2024-25 season ends.”
Staple reports that a summer trade or buyout is almost certainly not going to happen this year. Moving Trouba in the middle of the summer would leave a big question mark in the defensive corps with not a whole lot of answers. The Rangers would need to find another capable defenseman who can kill penalties and handle a full season’s workload. Those high-quality defensemen are few and far between, especially two weeks removed from the start of free agency.
GM Chris Drury has attempted to smooth things over with Trouba
Staple provided some insight on the team’s handling of the “messy” Trouba situation, detailing a reported conversation between general manager Chris Drury and the team’s captain:
“According to a league source, there has been at least one conversation between Chris Drury and Trouba in the last few weeks and while there was surely some fence-mending on the team’s part for the rumors that were briefly out there, Trouba’s a pro and he knows how to handle situations for the good of the team without letting his own emotions get in the way; guessing that’s part of the reason they name you a captain in the first place.”
While some Rangers fans might be eager to see Trouba go after a disappointing 2023-24 performance, they will need to start warming up to the idea of seeing the captain maintain his position with the team.
Trouba was on the ice for 47% of the Rangers’ conceded goals in the final two rounds of the postseason before their untimely elimination and totaled just 22 points (three goals and 19 assists) in 69 games played with a -4 rating during the regular season. His increasingly inconsistent performance has soured the fans’ opinions of the veteran captain.
But without Trouba, the Rangers’ defensive corps lacks enough talent. Even with Trouba, one could argue the team’s defensive corps is still missing some quality. Hanging on to Trouba for the time being might be the best course of action. And it could set up another wild offseason during the summer of 2025.
