The Rangers are leaving captain Jacob Trouba in a trade with the Ducks amid recent setbacks
The New York Rangers are trading captain Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks after the Broadway Blueshirts fell to 1-6 in their last seven games and general manager Chris Drury looks to shake up a stagnant core.
Trouba, 30, was acquired by the Rangers before the 2019-2020 season from the Winnipeg Jets and signed a seven-year, $56 million contract with the Rangers.
Ahead of the 2022-2023 season, he was named the 28th captain in club history. But his tenure with the Rangers has been tumultuous, leading to him being removed from the roster on Friday morning.
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New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba skates in St. Louis Blues for the first time at Madison Square Garden. (Photos by Danny Wild/Imagn)
Trouba was scratched for roster management reasons because Drury was preparing to move from quarterback. In return, the Rangers received 25-year-old defenseman Urho Vaakanainen and a 2025 fourth-round pick from the Ducks.
The Ducks are also reportedly taking the full salary of Trouba’s remaining contract at the end of next season.
Although the Rangers have struggled recently, they are 13-10-1 this season and have their sights firmly set on the playoff hunt.
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New York Rangers right wing Reilly Smith, left, talks with defenseman Jacob Trouba (8) during a shutout against the St. Louis Blues in the first half at Madison Square Garden. (Photos by Danny Wild/Imagn)
The Ducks are 10-11-3 and will rely on Trouba’s leadership to help the young team grow.
The Trouba trade continues the recent trend of absurd exits for recent Rangers captains:
- Ryan McDonaugh was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
- Ryan Callahan was traded to the Lightning.
- Drury, currently the general manager, was the captain of the Rangers and his contract was bought out to finish his career.
Drury tried to sell Trouba in the short term, but Trouba’s wife, Kelly, had a year left in her medical residency and did not want to leave New York at that time. No deal was made in the summer because Jacob had a no-trade clause, according to The Athletic.
Trouba struggled this season as he scored only six points in 24 games and was relegated to third place. He has been a first or second baseman for most of his Ranger career.
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New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba (8) beats Philadelphia Flyers right wing Matvei Michkov (39) in the first half at Wells Fargo Center. (Kyle Ross/Images)
In Anaheim, Trouba will be reunited with former Rangers teammates Ryan Strome and Frank Vatrano.
The Rangers will look to get back on track when they play the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday at 7:30 pm ET.
The Ducks play the Minnesota Wild at 10 pm ET on Friday, but it’s unclear if Trouba will make his Ducks debut in that game.
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