NY Rangers’ Captain Jacob Trouba Sheds Light on Offseason Trade Speculations

Jacob Trouba, the esteemed captain of the New York Rangers, recently broke his silence on the swirling rumors of a potential trade. The 30-year-old defenseman has two years remaining on his seven-year deal, which carries an $8 million cap hit. As of July 1, his contract modified from a comprehensive no-move clause to a partial 15-team no-trade clause. Trouba reassured that despite the rumors, there were no hard feelings between him and the management, labeling the situation as “standard contract business.”

Trade Rumors and Contract Clauses: Trouba’s Perspective

Several reports suggested that the Rangers approached Trouba with a no-trade list while his full no-move clause was still active, implying that a trade was on the table. However, Trouba dismissed these reports, emphasizing the requirement of a no-trade list submission as part of the standard contractual agreement. Speaking at the Rangers’ training camp, he said, “Per my contract, I owe the list to them on June 30th. I knew that was coming. It’s just standard contract business.”

Management’s Response to the Trade Rumors

Chris Drury, the Rangers’ general manager, also supported Trouba’s statements, highlighting their transparent communication over the summer. He praised Trouba’s abilities as both a player and a leader.

Addressing Speculation and Media Reports

Trouba expressed his discontent with the media speculations about his future with the Rangers. He particularly highlighted reports about his wife, Dr. Kelly Tyson-Trouba, and how her medical residency at a New York hospital could influence potential trade destinations.

He clarified, “People just run with random things. I’d love to find someone to verify a source. But that’s not the standard, I guess, in media. So we’ll leave it with that.”

Trouba’s Stance on Staying with the Rangers

Despite the rumors, Trouba reiterated his desire to stay in New York, expressing his family’s love for the city. He was unfazed by his name being in trade rumors, acknowledging it as a part of professional sports.

Last Shot for the Current Rangers’ Core

After reaching the Eastern Conference final last season and losing to the Florida Panthers, the eventual Stanley Cup champions, in six games, Trouba believes it’s a crucial time for the team. “In all likelihood, this will probably be the last crack for this core. So we’re a group that’s kind of grown together, spent some years together here and we have something we want to accomplish,” he finalized.