New York Rangers captain Jacob Trouba will miss the upcoming Friday night game against the Pittsburgh Penguins due to “roster management purposes” as the team explores trade opportunities for him, an NHL source has confirmed to ESPN.
The Rangers have provided Trouba with multiple trade options for his consideration. The 30-year-old defenseman holds a 15-team no-trade clause in his contract, which extends through the 2025-26 season and carries an $8 million salary cap hit.
Recent discussions involving Trouba have included the Detroit Red Wings, Columbus Blue Jackets, Ottawa Senators, and Buffalo Sabres, as reported by ESPN’s Emily Kaplan. The Rangers may consider placing Trouba on waivers, potentially eliminating his control over any trade decisions, to create urgency in the trade discussions. This strategy echoes a situation in June when the Rangers placed forward Barclay Goodrow on waivers, which allowed the San Jose Sharks to claim him in a prior arrangement.
In July, Trouba’s contract transitioned from a full no-movement clause to a partial 15-team no-trade clause. Reports indicated that the Rangers sought Trouba’s no-trade list while he still maintained his full no-movement clause, suggesting their intent to facilitate a trade. However, no agreement was reached at that time.
Currently, the Rangers’ record stands at 13-10-1 this season, placing them fourth in the Metropolitan Division and occupying the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. The team’s performance has taken a downturn, with six regulation losses in their last seven games. In late November, General Manager Chris Drury notified all other teams that the Rangers were open to trading players, explicitly mentioning Trouba and veteran forward Chris Kreider as possible trade candidates.
Trouba has recorded six assists and holds a minus-3 rating while averaging 20 minutes of ice time per game this season, marking his sixth year with the Rangers. Known as one of the league’s prominent checking defensemen, he assumed the captaincy of the Rangers during the 2022-23 season.
Throughout the year, the trade speculation has loomed over Trouba. During training camp, he expressed disappointment about the ongoing rumors regarding his future, particularly relating to media coverage about his wife, Dr. Kelly Tyson-Trouba, and how her residency in a New York hospital could influence trade options. Trouba emphasized that their family’s connection to New York was a significant factor in his initial trade to the Rangers from the Winnipeg Jets in 2019, stating, “I love living here. I love New York. My family loves it here, as everybody is now aware of.”
In light of Trouba’s absence, the Rangers have recalled AHL defenseman Victor Mancini.
The ongoing trade discussions surrounding Trouba highlight the complexities and challenges that professional athletes face in balancing personal and professional commitments. Such situations can often lead to uncertain times for both the player and the team. However, a successful trade could bring fresh opportunities for Trouba to continue his career elsewhere while helping the Rangers reorganize their roster for future success. As fans, we can hope for a resolution that benefits both Trouba and the Rangers as they navigate these changes.